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HISTORY OF JOSEPH, 

A POEM, 



JN TEN BOOKS. 



^igtzUnnzotia poem«f» 



MRS. ELIZABETH ROWE, 



BOSTON : 

Printed and sold by J. T. Buckingham; 

1815. 



PR 367/ 

.R4H5 
15? 1 5 



HISTORY OF JOSEPH. 



BOOK I. 

u9n invocation to the Divijie Spirit. A deseription of the 
temple of Moloch^ in the valley of Binno7i, -where a con- 
gress of the infernal powers are met to contrive some 
method to extirpate the Hehretv race. 



v^ELESTIAL muse, that, on the blissful plaln^ 
Art oft invok'd, to guide th' immortal strain ; 
Inspired by thee, the first-born sons of light 
Hail'd the creation in a tuneful flight ; 
Pleas'd with thy voice, the spheres began theu* pouik!> 
The morning stars danc'd to the charming sound : 
Yet thou hast often left the<:rystal tow'rs. 
To visit mortals in their humble bow*rs. 

Favoured by thee, the courtly swain of old^ 
Beneath mount Horeb sacred wonders told 
Of boundless chaos, and primeval right. 
The springs of motion, iind the seeds of light. 
The sun stood still, to hear his radiant birth. 
With the formation of the balanc'd earth. 
The moon on high, check'd her nocturnal car. 
And list'ning staid, with ev'ry lingering star. 
The hills around and lofty Sinah heard 
^y whose command their tow'ring heads w«re rear'd. 



The flow'rs their ^ay original attend ; 

Their tufted crowns the%roves, adoring", bend. 

The fountains rose, the streams their course withheld. 

To hear the ocean's wond'rous source reveal'd. 

The birds sit silent on the branches near. 

The flocl^s and herds their verdant food forbear. 

The swains forgot their labour, while he sung. 

How, from tlie dust, their great forefather sprung ? 

A vital call awoke him from the ground. 

The moving clay obey'd th' aln^ighty sound. 

Thus sung in Igfty strains the noble bard ; 

The heav'ns and earth their own formation heard. 

But thou, propitioUiS muse, a gentler fire 
Didst breathe, and tune to softer notes the lyre. 
When royal Leb*non heard thp am'rous king 
The beauties of his lov'd Egyptian sing : 
The sacred lays a mystic sense unfold. 
And things divine in human types were told. 
Disdain not, gently pow'r, my «ong to grace, 
While I the paths of heav'nly justice trace ; 
And twine a blooming garland for the youth, 
Eenown'd for honour, and unblemish'd truth. 

Let others tell of ancient conquests won. 
And mighty deeds, by favour'd heroes done ; 
(Heroes enslav'd to pride, and wild desires,) 
A virgin muse, a virgin theme requires ; 
Where vice, and wanton beauty quit the field. 
And guilty loves to stedfast virtue yield. 

Jacob, with heav'n's peculiar favour blest. 
Leaving the fertile regions of the East ; 
(Where Haron, then a noble city, stood, 
''"Between fair Tigris, and Euphrates' flood ;) 
From Laban fled, and by divine commancj 



Pursued his journey to his native land. 

lioaded with wealth, his num'rous camels boi'e 

His wives, his children, and his household store: 

Of purchas'd slaves, he led an endless train, 

flis .flocks aild herds engrossed the wide champaign. 

The shepherd's art was all his fathers knew. 
His sons the same industrious life purf ue. 
The God his pious ancestors ador'd, 
Th' Almighty God, at Bethel, he implor'd : 
An altar there, with grateful vows he rear'd. 
Where twice the radiant vision had appear*d ; 
The pow'rs of hell, the dreadful omen fear'd : 
Each demon trembles m his hollow shrine^ 
The raving priests amazing things divine. 

In Hinnon's vale a fane to Moloch stood. 
Around it rose a consecrated wood ; 
Whose mingled shades, excluded nooij-day lightj 
And made below uninterrupted jught 
Pale tapers, hung around in equal rows. 
The mansion of the sullen king disclose ; 
Seven brazen gates its horrid entrance guard ; 
Within the cries of infant ghosts were heard; 
On seven high altars rise polluted fires. 
While human victims feed the ruddy spires. 
The place Gehenna call'd, resembled well 
The native gloom and dismal vaults of hell. 
'Twas night, and goblins in the darkness danc'd,, 
The priest in frantic visions lay entranc'd ; 
While here conven'd tlie Pagan terrors sat. 
In solemn council, and mature debate, 
T' avert the storm impending o'er their statgu 
Th' apostate princes with reseniment fi.-ed. 
Anxious, and be»t on black designs, conspjj-'<^ 
A3 



To find out schemes successful to efface 
Great Heber's name, and crush the sacred race j 
From whence they knew the long predicted King, 
Th' infernal empire's destin'd foe, should spring : 
Who conqu'roj^ o'er their vanquish'd force should treadj 
And all their captive chiefs in triumph lead, 
Th' affair their- deepest policy commands. 
And brought them hither from remotest land ; 
"From Ur, Armenia, and Iberia's shores, * 

*From Nile and Ophir, rich with golden ores. 
And where the Adrian wave, and where th' Atlantic 
roars. 
Nesroth appears, his amber chariot drawn 
With snowy steeds ; him at the rising dawn 
The Syrian worships from his airy hills. 
Whose vales with wealth the fram'd Araxis fills. 
Belus forsakes his high frequented domes. 
And o'er the famous plains of Shinah comes : 
Plegor descends his mount ; to him were paid, 
Willi impious rites, libations for the dead. 
Impious Rimmon came, whose mansion stood 
On the fair banks of Pharphar's lucid flood. 
Qsn-is left his Nile, and thund'ring Baal 
Tile rock, whence Arnon's plenteous waters fall 
Mthr'^., whom all the East adores, was there ; 
Anci, like his own resplendent planet, fair, 
With yellow tresses, and enclianting eyes. 
Dissembling btiiuty, would the fioud disguise, 
'Nor fail'd a deity of female name, 
Aiit-trie, with her silver crescent came: 
Meiitu left her Babyiuni^n bow'rs ; 
Where wii^lon dam.s<.ls, CiCvn'.' A'ith blusliing fiov^'Ve. 
In ail the summer's various iustre £,^av. 



Detested orgies to the goddess pay. 

These various pow'rs, their various schemes propose 
But none the assembly pleas'd, till Mithra rose ; 
(Of an alluring mien above the rest) 
Who thus the apostate potentates address'd ; 

* Mankind by willing- steps to ruin move, 
Their ovm wild passions their destruction provci 
But the most fatal is forbidden love. 

Old Jacob boasts a daughter young and fair. 
Fond Leah's glory, and peculiar care : 
Her eyes inflame the gazing Pagan, hearts. 
Young Shechem has already felt their darts j 
Who lately saw her with her virgin train, 
Near Shalem, wand'ring o'er the dewy plain. 
I'll fill his youthful breast with mad desire, 
By fraud, or force, his wishes to acquire. 
The coming day he does a feast prepare, 
B}' me instructed how to hide the snare ; 
Fair Dinah is his sister's promis'd guest. 
Impatient love W'ill soon complete the rest. 
The damsel's wrongs her brothers will enflame 
To right, with hostile arms, the Hebrew's shame ; 
By which provok'd, the Canaanites shall join 
With us t' abolish this detested line.' 

* Revenge and bloody faction are my care,* 
Moloch replies, * thine be the soft affair ; 
Without instructions thou canst act thy part. 
Well practis'd in the nice alluring art ; 
^iuphrates' banks, and Senac's conscious shades. 
Attest thy freedom with th' Assyrian maids a 
Thy voice, applauded in the lieav'nly groves. 
Was there devoted to terrestrial loves : 

Thy sacred lyre, to human subjects strung. 



s 

No more with tiresome hallelujahs rung'; 

This grac'd thy hand, a quiver hung behind. 

Nor fail'd thy sparkling eyes to charm the beauteouTs 

kind. 
The bold example of thy loose amours, 
Prevail'd on numbers of the heav'nly pow'rs ; 
Who vainly had the first probation stood, 
Proof to ambition, obstjaately good. 
Long after I, with my associates feil, 
Thy friends enlarged the monarchy of hel| ^ 
On softer motives you abhorr'd the skies, 
Allur'd by women's captivating eyes : 
The sons of God thus with the race of man 
Were mingled ; hence the giant stock began. 
Our plot requires us now, and if it fail, 
I'll in my turn the hated tribe assail; 
Domestick faction may at last prevail. 
Joseph, his doating father's life, and joy. 
By well concerted means we must destroy; 
This youth, above the rest, excites my fear. 
Divine presages in iiis face appear : 
Officious Gitbriel's care to him confin'd, 
Foretels a man for mighty things design'd ; 
His brethren, acted by my powerful fire. 
Against his envied life shall all conspire. 
Joseph removed, old Jacob's, greatest prop. 
The rape shall mourn, in him, their blasted hope.' 
Here Moloch ceas'd ; the infernal spirits rose, 
€jo\vnin(r tlie dovible plot with vast applause- 



BOOK 11. 

Jacob's dmighter dishonour'' d by Shechenif Prince of the 
Hivites. Her brothers revenge the injury. The Pa- 
triarch relates to Ms sons AbraharrCs conquest over the 
King of Elam and his royal confederates. He rescues 
Lot. Melchisedek meets and blesses AbraJiam. Thf 
intended sacrifice of Isaac. 



X OUNG Shechem all the night impatient lay, 
And sought with eager eyes the breaking day; 
With ardent longings waits the promised hour. 
And fancies all his wishes in his pow'r : 
Aner, his friend, improves the fatal fire. 
And soothes, with flatt'ring scenes, his wild desire' 

Sidonia, guiltless of her brother's snares. 
To grace her lovely'Hebrew guest prepares ; 
Who with her young- companions now appears. 
Too innocent for nice reserves or fears. 
Her artless looks, nor tim'rous, nor assur'd. 
With easy charms the Jebusites allur'd : 
A rosy tincture paints her guiltless face. 
Her eyes, peculiar to her beauteous race. 
Sparkle with life, and dart immortal grace. 
Rich orient bracelets, round her snowy arms 
And faultless neck, improve her native charms ; 
The Hivite princess entertains the maid. 
To Hamor's palace fatally betray'd ; 
Where, at the pomp of one surprising feasts 
She fleets the luxury of all the East. 



10 

Her thoughts the proud magnificence admire. 
Tit people's customs, iind their strange attire, 
Tiii modest rules, and the declming day. 
With Leah's charge, forbid her longer stay : 
But, ah ! too late, she finds herself betray'd 
To Shechem's pow'r, a lost defenceless maid ; 
A captive in his treach'rous courts retain'd, 
!By fraud seduc'd, and brutal force constrain'd^ 
Her name dishonour'd and her nation stain'd. 
In vain with tender sighs he strives to move 
The injur'd fair to voluntary love ; 
The strictest rules of chastity she knew. 
With all, that to her great descent was due ; 
But what with gentle arts he fails to gain, 
His wild desires by violence obtain. 

The hateful tidings reach'd her father's ears. 
And almost sunk his venerable years : 
Her brothers rage, and for revenge combine ; 
But guard with secret guile, their black design. 

The town in feasts consum'd the second day. 
And plung'd at night in fearless riot lay. 
The restless shepherds ere the lingering dawn. 
Each held his sWord for horrid action drawn : 
Surpris'd the city like a rising flood, 
Rag'd tlirough the streets, and bath'd their swords in 

blood. 
The Hebrews pleas'd with this successful fate. 
Sprung furious on, and forc'd the palace gate : 
Fierce Simeon through the bright apartments flew, 
And old and young, without distinction, slew. 

SI echem, with restless passion still inspir*d| 
Was with the charming Israelite retir'd : 
And first by mad ingulting^Levi found ; 



11 

without a pause he gave the desperate wound . 
« Take thy despatch, curst ravisher, for hell,* 
He said ; and down the bleeding victim fell : 
His fatal mistress turns away her eyes. 
With horror seiz'd, and trembling with surprise. 
The swains her roving vanity upbraid, 
And to their tents the penitent convey'd ; 
Their father grievM, reproves the bloody fact, 
]put Judah thus defends the hostile act : 

* Should they, a race uncircumcis'd and vile. 
With lawless mixtures Abram's stock defile ? 
Oui' wives and sisters in our sight constrain : 
While we, regardless of the shameful stain. 
Stand tamely by, and scarce of wrong complain ? 
They first intrench'd on hospitable trust. 

And human faith j — our vengeance is but just.' 

* Such Justice never mingle with my fame,' 
Crood Israel cries, * nor spot my guiltless name I 
Tf he realms around, who idol gods revere. 
Will this black deed with indignation hear ; 
And all their policy and rage unite, 

To blot our odious mem'ry from the light.' 

So hell believ'd — but heav'n a sacred dread 
Of Jacob's sons among the nations spread ; 
Wh e he at Bethel with a pious flame. 
Implores the great unutterable Name. 
From thence to Mamre's peaceful plain retires. 
Where Kirjath-arba lifts her golden spires : 
Illustrious Arba built and nam'd the place. 
The boasted father of the giant race ; 
For them design'd the monstrous plan appear'd 
To heav'n the threat'ning battlements were rear'd i 
In careless joys, and plenty here they live. 



y 



12 

And to the nei,^hbotiHng swains protection giv^.. 

Beneath, the hill, on which their city stood. 
Ascending high a venerable wood ; 
The solemn shades, which gave a secret dread, 
Conceal'd a vaulted structure for the dead, 
Machpelah call'd ; with wondrous labour wrought • 
This Abram of the giant nation bought : 
The cave, the wood, the springs, and bordering fields 
Ephron their prince, by public contract seal'd. 

Here to their purchas'd right the shepherds drive 
Their fleecy charge, and unmolested live ; 
While frequent through the consecrated ground. 
Inscriptions and old monuments they found. 
Where'er celestial visions had appear'd, 
The pious worshippers an altar rear'd ; 
The mystic name, to mortals long unknown. 
Was deeply figured on the polish*d stone ; 
By marks engrav'd on archiag rocks, 'twas seen. 
That heavenly pow'rs had there convers'd with men , 

Remote from this a lofty pillar stood ; 
This Jacob to the rural concourse show'd ; 
• Here see,' he said, * the memory retain'd 
Of^Abram's conquest near Damascus gain'd. 

To distant lands the eastern rule was spread. 
And Jordan's banks a yearly tribute paid : 
The king of Sodom first contemn'd the yoke, 
Admah and Zeboim next the treaty broke. 
At this the royal Elamite enrag'd. 
The neighbouring kings, his great allies, engaged ; 
Arioch and mighty Tidal join their force. 
Conquest where'er they turn attends their course. 
The Horiras on mount Seir their valour prove. 
Their troops the Eraims from their fortress drove 



13 

In Siddlm's vale the adverse princes stay. 
There Shibna, Bera, and Shemeber lay. 
Amraphel early meets his doubtful foes. 
And for the victory his ranks dispose : 
But scarce th' encounter could be call'd afig-bt^ 
So soon the troops of Sodom took their flight : 
The coward race, unus'd to charge a foe. 
Their jav'lins, swords, and shields at once forego. 
Some seek the woods, and some a shelt'ring cave ; 
Some in the rocks their breath, inglorious, save : 
While others plunging down fair Jordan's tide. 
From the stern looks of war their faces hide. 
Th* invaders sheath their swords, and scorn to grace 
With martial deaths the despicable race. 
Bera alone and Lot sustain'd the field, 
But press'd by numbers were compell'd to yield. 
These with the riches of the town a prey. 
To Paran's hills the conqu'rors bore away. 

This Abram heard, and gather'd on the plain 
A valiant band, his own domestic train : 
His glad assistance Eshcol brings, a youth 
Of public honour, and unblemish'd truth ; 
With Aner, Mamre, dauntless both and young. 
Brothers, all three from noble Amor sprung. 

'Twas night, secure the victor army lies. 
Scornful of foes, and fearless of surprise ; 
By Heav'n's command a sudden vapour spreads^ 
O'er all the hosts, and clouds their drowsy heads x 
To the high throne of sense soft slumber climbs. 
Slackens their sinews, and benumbs their limbs : 
The captive's eyes alone its force repell'd. 
Nor to the pleasing violence would yield. 

Now acM" the camp the brave confederates draw, 
B 



14 

And by the g-limmVing fires its posture 3k\v : 
The foremost rank, the swift invaders slew. 
And soon the waking pris'ners heard and knew 
Their active friends, that to their succour flew. 
Abram his nephew, he the rest untied ; 
The sleeping foe avenging swords supplied : 
From file to file the avenging brothers pass, 
And leave them breathless on the purple grass. 
Th' old patriarch feels new life in ev'ry vein. 
And scatters wide destruction o'er the plain. 
The terrour grows, the clash of arms, and cries 
Of wounded men afflict the ambient skies. 
Prince Arioch, startled at the noise, awakes. 
And from his eyes the fatal slumber shakes. 
At oft repeated calls his legions arm, 
And madly haste to meet the loud alarm : 
But by a force more prevalent outdone. 
On certain fate vv ith eager steps they run ; 
Disorder'd and amaz'd, they quit the field. 
And, raving, to their unknown victors yield. 

The morning rose, and with her blushing light 
Expos*d their damage, and inglorious flight ; 
The joyful shepherds seize th' abandon'd spoils ; 
And now returning from their martial toils, 
A royal priest at Salem, Abram meets 
With presents, and a benediction greets 
The Hebrew bands : — to heav'n he lifts his eyes, 

* And blest be that propitious power,' he cries, 

* Who walks the crystal circuit of the skies ; 
Who hears the boast of mortals with disdain. 
Contemns their force, and makes their triumphs vnin.' 
His mien was solemn, and his face divine. 
Refulgent genr? arouod his temples shiiie : 



,15 

His graceful robe, a bright celestial blue^ 

Trailing- behind, a train majestic drew. 

The tenth of all great Abram gives the priest. 

The kings and Amorites divide the rest. 

All pleas'd, the gen'rous conqu'ror loudly prais*d5 

■And to his fame this Listing column rais'd.' 

The swainj were list'ning still, when Jacob cries, 

• To yonder mountain now direct your eyes ; ~ 
For there a brighter scene of glory lies. 
'Twas there the wond'ring sun in Abram view'd 
The noblest height of human fortitude ; 

The pious man in guiltless sleep lay drown*d. 
When through his ears thunder'd the fatal sound ? 

* Arise, and Isaac on mine altar lay. 
With thy own hand the destin'd victim slay ;' 
He starts, and cries, * Who can this thought inspire C 
Can heav'n this monstrous sacrifice require ? 

The dreadful call again surprised his ears, 
And, lo ! the well-known heav'nly form appears. 
He bow'd, and at the purpl> dawn arose. 
And with his darling to Moriah goes. 
Astonish'd, long he by the altar stood. 
Then pil'd with trembling hands the sacred wood ; 
Half dead himself; the wond'ring youth he binds, 
Who now his sire's severe intention finds. 

* What thoughts,' he ask'd, * my father, have possest 
Your soul ? what horrid fury fills your breast ? 

Am I to hell a sacrifice design'd ? 
Some cruel demon must your reason blind. 
Th' unbleraish'd skies abhor this bloody deed, 
No human victims on their altars bleed.' 

' Tis heav'n,' the patriarch said, * this fact requires... 
'Tis heav'n — be witness, yon ethereal fires ! 



16 



Yet, countless as the stars, from thee must spring' 
Victorious nations, and the mystic King: 
'Tis past relief — ^)^'et by himself he swore. 
Who from the dead thy relics can restore : 
What obstacle surmounts almig-hty power ?* 

This said, the pious youtli resig-n'd bis life ; 
Blest Abram shoojj. off all paternal strife, 
A no forward thrust the consecrated knife. 
A': l-g-htning from the skies, an angel broke, 
Ar\d warded with his hand the fatal siroke. 
When thus a voice streams downward from above^ 
Briathing ^ivine beneficence and love. 

* By my great self I swear to bless thy race 
W.lh endless favour, and peculiar grace ; 
Thy scepter'd sons the spacious East shall sway. 
While vanqulsh'd kings obedient tribute pay.* 

Here Jacob ends, and to his tent retu-es ; 
Their fleecy charge the parting swains requires- 



BOOK III. 

^Ihe infei-nal po-icers endeavour to raise factions in Jacob' s 
family. Joseph's dreams. His brothers' jealoiisij and 
malice. He comes to Doihan. They confine him in a 
pit .ivhile they considt his ruin. An angel in a visio7i 
presages to him his future greatnessj a7id -warns him 
6f the sna-t^s of beauty cnid urdatvfid love. His broth- 
ers sparse his life, and sell him to the Midian merchants, 
travelling- xvith their spicy trafjUck into Egypt. Jacob, 
obstinate in grief , refuses all consolation. 



JVlsANTIME the Pagan deities displeas'd. 
To find the public storm so soon appeas'dj 
-Studious attempt by new nrialieious ways. 
Among- the Hebrews civil jars to raise : 
Moloch already ]}'ul provok'd the strife. 
And kindling- miscliief threatens Joseph's life. 

The lorely youtl;, fair Rachel's boasted son, 
Completely form'd, his seventeenth year begun ; 
His; mother's sparkling- eyes, and blooming grace. 
31 -xt with severer strokes, adorn'd his face. 
Not he that m Sr.bca's fragant yrove, 
(As pGcts sung) inflam'd the queen of love, 
I\or Hylas, nor X:a-cissas look'd so gay, 
Vfhtii the clear streams his rosy blush display. 

In ail his conduct something noble shone, 
Which meant him for a greatness yet unknown 
Visions had oft his rising fate foretold : 
I'lje last to Jivcob thus his lips unfold, 
B 2 



18 

His brethren by : — * When sleep had clos'd mine eyes^, 
A corny field before my fancy flies ; 
(Still to my thoug-hts the yellow crop appears ! 
My brothers with me reap'd the bending- ears ;• 
Industrious, each a single sheaf had bound, 
When theirs with sudden motion mine surround. 
And bow'd with prostrate rev'rence to the ground. 
But now my mind of rural business clear'd, 

Above my hpad a wondrous scene appear'd ; 
The moon and stars at highest noon shone bright, 

Unconquer'd by the sun's superiour light ; 

Methought I saw the gaudy orbs descend, 

And at my feet with humble homage bend.' 
The shepherds hear his story v/ith surprise : 

* Must we thy vassals be ? Proud Ashur cries. 

With rage and threat'ning malice in his eyes. 
At Mamre, Jacob and his favourite stay. 

The rest to Dothan's flow'ry meadows stray ; 

Infernal envy all their bosoms fires, 

And black resolves and horrid thoughts inspires ; 

At last youRg Joseph's murder is design'd. 

Hell with the monstrous treachery combin'd. 
He comes to Dothan, by his father sent. 

And heav'n alone his ruin can prevent. 

Their guiltless prey, he stands without defence;, 

But inborn worth, and fearless innocence. 

His brethren's crimes, his father's hoary hairs, 

Were all the subjects that alarm'd his fears. 
The fatal stroke they now prepare to give. 

When Reuben's arts the hopeless youth retrieve, 

By tlius advising, — "^Let your brother live. 

A thousand easy methods yet remain, 

To render all his glorious projects vain ; 



19 

But till we have determin'd the design. 
To yonder pit th' aspirmg- boy confine.' 
To him they yield, and to their tents retire. 
The fiends below their own success admire. 

The nig-ht prevails, and draws her sable train. 
With silent pace, along th' ethereal plain. 
By fits the dancing stars exert their beams ; 
The silver crescent glimmers on the streams ; 
The sluggish v/aters, with a drowsy roar. 
And lingVing- motion, roll along the shore ; 
Their murmur answers to the rustling breeze. 
That faintly whispers tlirough the nodding- trees ; 
The peaceful echoes undisturb'd with sound, 
f ^ay slumb'ring in the cavern'd hills around ; 
Frenzy and faction, love and envy slept ; 
A still solemnity all rrnture kept ; 
Devotion only wak'd, and to the skies 
Directs the pris'ner's pious vows and eyes ; 
To God's high throne a wlng'd petition flev/. 
And from the skies commission'd Gabriel drew ; 
One of the seven, who by appointed turns 
Before the throne ambrosial incense burns. 

A sudden da)', returning on the night, 
Vanquish'd the shades, and put the stars to flight 
Th' enlighten'd cave receives the siiining guest 
in all his heav'nly pomp divinely drest ; 
He greets the youth, and thus his charge exprest ? 

' To-morrow thou must leave rich Jordan's sliorej 
And trace Moriah's sacred hill no more ; 
A great and grateful nation yet unknown, 
Sav'd by thy care, shall thee their patron own ; 
But let thy breast impenetrable prove 
To wanton beauty^ apd forbidden love ^ 



20 

IS heaven enjoins.* — The wond'ring shepherd t>ow'd ; 

be ang-el mounted on a radiant cloud. 

The morning now her lovely face display'd. 
And with a rosy smile dispell'd the shade. 
The faction rose, and close in council sat, 
On means that must determine Joseph's fate ; 
Nor long they sat, for on the neighbouring- road, 
A train of camels with their spicy load, 
Follow'd by Midian merchants trayell'd by : 

* Heav'n marks the way,' the envious brothei:. cry, 

* Whate'er the ambitious dreamer's thoughts portend. 
His hopes with these to foreign lands we'll send. 

They stop the Midianites, and soon agree, 
Kesolv'd no more his hated face to see. 
With looks, which perfect inward anguish tell ; 
And falling tears, he took this sad ferewell. 
* I go to wander on some barb'rous clime, 
May heav'nly justice ne'er avenge this crime ! 
Be still indulgent to my father^s age, 
His grief for me with flatt'ring Iiopes assuage.* 

They hear, they see the anguish of his soul. 
And scarce their struggling pity can control ; 

Touch'd with so sad a scene, they all begia 
To feel remorse for this unnatural sin. 
And half repent ; but hate and envy prove 

Their victor passions, and repress their love. 

They form a specious fraud, to hide the deed 

From their old sire, and in the plot succeed. 

Their brother's varied coat they still relain'd, 

And with a bleeding kid the vestment stain'd ; 

With this to Mamre treach'rous Simeon goes. 

Too well ^he lost old man the relick knows-. 

i^fter a dismaj pause his sorrow breaks 



21 

Its violent way, and this sad language speaks : •■ 

* My son ! — alas, some savage monster's prey '. 
Why have I liv'd to this detested day ! 
Why have I linger'd thus ? I should have died. 
When thy more happy mother left my side. 
My best lov'd wife : — but all my Rachel's face 
I could in thy resembling features trace. 
Tormenting thought ! — O hide me from the light 
Its useless rays afflict my feeble sight; 
Come, lead me to the solitary grave, 
Despair and woe that dark retirement crave ; 
There shall I, stretch'd upon my dusty bed, 
Torget the toils of life, and mingle with the dead/ 

In vain his friends attempt to bring relief. 
In vain persuade inexorable grief; 
^Tis deep, and intermingled with his soul, 
Kor time nor Counsel can its force controi. 



BOOK IV. 

«4 description of Egypt, -with the pyramids. Joseph sold 
by the JMidian ?nerchants to a captain of the royal 
guards. He leads him to his palace. Shexvs his -wife 
the handsome captive. Her growing passion for him. 
A young Assyrian maid, endeavouring to amuse and 
divert her mistress, tells her the story of JVinus and 
Semiramis. 



JMeANWHILE through savage woods, and deserts 

vast. 
The captive with his Midian masters past. 
At last rich Egypt's pleasant coasts are seen. 
The level meads drest with immortal green ; 
Between them fertile Nile directs his course. 
And nobly flows from his immortal source. 
Along the borders of the sacred flood 
Aspiring groves and stately cities stood : 
Here ancient Tanais in her height appear'd. 
Before Amphion's lute the Theban wall had reard.. 

The sun's devoted city, radiant On, 
With roofs emboss'd, and golden foliage shone ; 
Ere skilful Vulcan was at Lemnos nam'd. 
Or Cynthia's darts, or shields for Pallas fram'd. 
Distinct from these, on the Pelusian strands, 
Ansana crown'd with silver turrets stands ! 
Rais'd to its height, as old tradition tells. 
By powerful magic, and secur'd by spells : 
Th' Egyptian wizards here themselves immui'c,. 



eonverse with hell, and practise rites impure. 

Now mighty pyramids the sight surprise^ 
On Masre's plain the spiral towers arise ; 
Redousa here mag-nificently shrouds. 
Its lofty head among surrounding clouds : 
By Saurid built, the daring structure stood 
The fury of the universal ilood. 
Phacat and Samir's pointed tops ascend. 
And o'er the fields their length'ning shades extend ; 
Their compass sacred to the dead remain, 
Within eternal night and silence reign ; 
No lightsome ray salutes them from the sky. 
But glaring lamps depending from on high. 
With sickly gleams the hollow spade supply. 
Here ancient kings, embalm'd with wondrous cost* 
A long exemption from corruption boast ; 
In artful figures some are sitting plac'd. 
With fruitless pomp, and idle ensigns grac'd ; 
While others stretch'd in sleeping postures lie. 
On folding carpets of imperial die : 
Their hovering ghosts, pleas'd with this mimict pride. 
Among the breathless carcasses reside. 
But what prodigious things within were shown. 
Were to the Hebrew stranger yet unknown, 
Astonish'd at their outward bulk alone. 

And now arriv'd where Zoan's wall enclos'd 
Imperial tow'rs, the Midianites expos'd 
Their fragrant traffic, with the handsome slave : 
His mind beyond his years compos'd and grave ; 
His aspect something spoke divinely great, 
Something that mark'd him for a noble fate. 

A generous captain, chief of Pharaoh's bands. 
Admiring much the graceful captive, stands = 



M 

Then g'ives the Mldianites their full demands; 
A sudden friendship in his breast he finds. 
Experienced only by unvul^ar minds : 
Some heavenly being- had prepared his thoug-ht. 
And on his heart the kind impression wrought, 

* Without regret, young stranger, follow me,' 
Said Potiphar, 'I now have ransom'd thee ; 
From servitude this moment thou art free * 

The youth receiv'd the favour with a grace^ 
That answer'd all the promise of his face. 
Fronting the royal house, a structure crown'd 
With turrets stood, and palmy groves around ; 
Discoursing, hither through the walks they went 
Both pleas'd alike, and equally content. 

The seat they reach'd, when for a costly vest 
The master call'd, in this the youth they dress'd . 
No more disparag'd with a slave's attire. 
His faultless shape and features all admire. 
His hair, like palest amber from his crown 
In floating curls and shining v/aves fell down- 
Young Paris such surprising charms display'd. 
When first in gold and Tyrian silks array'd. 
He laid his crook aside, forgot the swain. 
And bid adieu to Ida's flowery plain. 

Then for his wife the captain bids them send, 
And shews with boasting joy his purchas'd friend. 

The fair Subrina, lately made his bride. 
Was in her beauty's celebrated pride. 
Her large black eyes shone with a sprightly fire. 
And love at every fatal glance inspire. 
The swarthy lustre of her charming face 
The full blown lily and the rose disgrace. 
IJ^er glossy hair outvied the raven's wings. 



25 

And ourl'd about her neck in wanton ri'ng^. 

Affectedly she took a careless view, 

And to her own apartment soon withdrew, 

Joseph belov'd and happy long remain'd. 
And from his lord successive favours gain'd ; 
Who now at home grown prosperous, and abroadg 
Believes his guest some favourable god : 
He gives him o'er his house the full command. 
Entrusting all his treasures to his hand. 

Meantime Sabrina feed^.-sHfthin her breast 
A secret fird^ but fan^^fe rage supprest. 
When first she saw thl'^rarming Hebrew's eyes. 
She felt, but well dissembled the surprise ; 
Bat through her various arts mi inward care 
The languors of her pensive looks declare. 

Cyrena found the change (a Syrian maid. 
Well born, but from her native coast betray*d :}^ 
She saw the change, but led by nicer laws. 
Was thoughtless still of its reproachful cause. 
Her voice, her easy wit, and eloquence. 
Could hold the wildest passion in suspense. 
Attending oft her mistress to a grove. 
Their usual walk, with pleasing tales she strove 
To entertain her thoughts, and charm her grief; 
Nor fail'd her arts to give a short relief. 
Her native clime the pleasing subject proves. 
The Syrian pomp, their customs, and their loves ; 
Among the rest Sabrina hears the name 
Semiramis, a queen of ancient fame. 
And ask'd her now the story to relate : 
Repos'd beneath a spreading palm they sate. 



26 



BOOK V. 

The Story ef Semiramis — exposed^ -when an infant, in 
tli4 fields ; -where she is found C covered ivith a rich 
embroidered mantle J by a peasant, -who carries her to 
Simmay the chief of the king's shepherds, by ivhom she 
is married to JSfenon, the principal commander of the 
Assyrian forces. J\Ienon being called to the siege of 
Bactria, she follotvs him in a martial disguise. JMc' 
non discovers her sex to the king, who marries her, 
after t/ie death of J\Ienon. 

J- HE maid begins — ^Where fam'd Coaspes laves 
Rich Elam's borders with his sacred waves. 
Along the fields their tents the shepherds spread. 
By them the king's imnumber'd flocks were fed. 

The silent dawn was misty yet and grey. 
And hoary moisture on the mountains lay. 
Intent on rural cares with early haste, 
A peasant near a rocky cavern past ; 
Across his path was rais'd a mossy bed. 
O'er that a rich embroider'd mantle spread. 
This, lifted up, reveal'd a lovely child, 
"Which fairer than the rosy morning smil'd : 
The wond'ring swain forgot his country cares. 
And back to Simma's house the infant bears. 

Simma, his master, was, though wealthy, just ; 
The royal herds and flocks were made his trust j 
He riches still amass'd without an heir. 
And seeing now the ehild surpassing fair. 



2r 

He took and bred her with indulgent care : 
In nothing he controls her growing years, 
No cost to please her boundless fancy spares. 

When, by revolving moons, successive time. 
Had brought her beauty to its perfect prime. 
Her shape was faultless, and in all her mien 
Presaging marks of majesty were seen : 
No mortal e'er could boast so fair a face, , 
Such radiant eyes, and so divine a grace. 
A flowery wreath her beauteous temples crown'd. 
Her snowy vest a crimson girdle bound : 
Thus dress'd, she walks a goddess o'er the plains^ 
Admir'd and lov'd by all the gazing swains ; 
To her the fragrant tribute of the spring. 
With amorous zeal on bended knees they bring. 

Not distant far from wealthy Simma's seat. 
Heroic Menon own'd a fair retreat ; 
His rank, and early worth, the high command 
Of all the fam'd Assyrian force had gain'd : 
In peaceful times the chief whom all admir'd. 
To prove a softer happiness retir'd ; 
'Twas here Semiramis his wishes fir'd. 
With ravish'd eyes her heav'nly face he view'd. 
And for the glorious prize to Simma sued ; 
Proffer'd with sacred rites his vows to bind : 
This honour pleas'd the haughty virgin's mind ; 
On meaner terms she had his suit denied ; 
With virtue guarded and a noble pride. 
The lover finds success, but all his joys 
A sudden summons from the kmg destroys, 

Bactria revolts, Ninus the tidings hears. 
Himself in arms to meet the foe prepares. 
But three short days ungentle fate allows 



18 

Sad Menon, for his sighg and parting- vows-: 
He curst his martial charge, and public fame. 
And loathes the incumbrance of a glorious name, 
Which rends him now from all the joys of life. 
His lov'd Semiramis, his charming wife. 

She heai's the king's command with less surprise^ ^ 
And, * Menon, bani§h all your care,* sh© cries. 
* We cannot — 'tis impossible to part. 
Love with heroic courage fires my heart. 
To follow you through raging seas I'd go. 
O'er burning deserts, or perpetual snow. 
By your example led, I shall not fear 
The flying arrow or the pointed spear. 
Pierc'd with a fatal dart, were Menon by, 
'T would be a soft and easy thing to die. 
Th' event be what it will, with you I'll ruu 
To certain death, nor any danger shun ; 
Be witness to my vows, thou radiant sun ! 
Nor can th' adventurous deed my conduct stain, 
Secure with you my secret shall remain ; 
I boldly can defy all other eyes, 
In threat'ning armour, and a martial guise.' 

New pleasure fills the hero's breast to find 
Such beauty, love, and steadfast virtue join'd. 
A thousand kind transporting things he said, 
A thousand vows of lasting passion made : 
Then for a rich habiliment of war 
He sent, and dress'd himself the smiling fair.. 

A costly helmet glitter'd on her head, 
On which a dove its silver pinions spread ; 
A plume of whitest feathers danc'd above. 
With every trembling breath of air they move. 
Th* embroider'd scarf that o'er her armour flow'd 



29 

With dazzling flames of gold and scarlet gl.ow'4. 

Her hand a javelin shook with mimic pride, 

A painted quiver rattled by her side. 

Her height and mein adorn the warlike dress. 

More vigorous rays her charming eyes express. 

The courser, of his beauteous burden proud. 

With golden trappings bounded through the crowd. 

Menon, of Syrian arms the grace and pride. 
Kept near the lovely masquerader's side. 
On Dura*s plain the Babylonian force 
In ranks attend their mighty leader's course. 
While Ninus, graceful as a martial god. 
Exalted on his glittering chariot rode. 

The Bactrians their approaching foes disdain^ 
Resolv'd their fortress brayely to maintain ; 
And long the town with matchless courage held, 
And oft to flight th' Arminian troops compell'd : 
Till bold Semiramis, who danger sought, 
And fearless in the foremost ranks had fought. 
Observed a rock, which o'er a castle lean'd ; 
The Bactrians this were careless to defend. 
Believing it frpm all access secure : 
She finds a path among the cliffs obscure ; 
Then with a chosen band intrepid gains 
The top, and soon th' unguarded fort obtains. 
The town thus made the fierce besieger's prey. 
To her they gave the conquest of the day, 
/lU prais'd the youth (for such she was believ'd) 
Her bold address each party had deceived ; 
But Ninus most her fortitude admires. 
He views her blooming youth, her race enquiree, 

Menoh, in dotage lost, with foolish pride, 
ISo more the fatal secret strives t» hide ; 
G 2 



so 

Nor once iniaigin*d this unlucky boast. 
The joy of all his future life must cost. 
Ninus with other eyes her beauty views. 
In other terms his gratitude renews. 

To Babylon return'd, he yet conceal'd 
His growing flame, by Menon's worth withheld j 
Too well he with the sad reflection knows. 
What to his counsel and his sword he owes ; 
These generous ties at first his love oppose : 
But nothing can th' increasing rage restrain j 
By gentle means he yet his end would gain. 

* Menon,' he said, * my wishes to procure, 
I'll give thee cities, and a boundless store 
Of gold, and precious gems, and for a bride, 
A blooming princess to the crown allied : 
All this, and more, to gain her love, I'll giv^ 
Without Semiramis I cannot live.' 

Resenting Menon, with a handsome pride, 
Befus'd his offers, and the suit denied. 

The softer sex he next attempts to gain ; 
She too rejects his passion with disdain. 
What now. avail the glories of the East ? 
Nor wealth, nor empire can procure his rest. 
Tir'd with unheeded sighs, and fruitless pray'r. 
He tries more rigorous means to ease his care ; 
And threatens thus : * With my desires complj'. 
Or soon prepare to see your hero die.* 
From Menon, this she hides, who less severe 
Observes her to the amorous king appear ; 
His fondness with the jealous passion grows : 
No joy, no lightsome interval he knows. 
The mingled frenzy gives him no repose. 

*She false ?' he cries, *my fair, enchanting wifc'l 
And can I yet protract this wretched life ? 



31 

This anxious heart, with hopeless grief oppressed. 

In death's cold shade shall find perpetual rest ' 

He said : then all the hostile stars defied. 

And plung'd the fatal weapon in his side. 

* A long" adieu ! Semiramis,' he cries : 

With those lov'd accents on his lips he dies : 

She hears the parting- groan, and to his succour flies. 

Sunk on the floor, she sees her lover bleed, 

Hmiself the author of the barbarous deed ; 

But true to love, and virtue's strictest laws. 

She neither knew, nor could suspect the cause. 

Seiz'd with a sudden horrour and surprise. 

She faints, and near the breathless carcass lies ; 

Her frighted women to her rescue haste. 

And wake the doubtful spark of life, at last 

A hollow groan ensues : with feeble sight 

She meets the day, and loatlies the flashing light. 

A stedfast sorrow in her face appears. 

Above the soft relief of female tears ; 

Silent as death, her words no utterance find 

To tell the inward anguish of her mind : 

A fix'd, sedate, and rational despair, 

Compos'd her looks, and settled in her air. 

In such a sullen calm the billows sleep, 
'So smooth an aspect wears tbe gloomy deep ; 
While treacherous winds their gathering breath refrain. 
Presaging tempests on the troubled main. 

Th' impatient prince with just respect attends 
Her ebbing grief, and long his flame suspends ; 
And long her stedfast thoughts relentless prove 
To profler'd empire and inviting love : 
Till fate itself her stubborn heart inciin'd 
To take a crown, by all th^ stars design'd^ 



32 

And fill a sphere proportion'd to her mind. 

Ninus was now of every wish possest. 
With sovereign rule and brig-hter pleasure blest ; 
But, ah ! how short a boast has mortal joy ? 
What sudden storms the flattering* calm destroy ? 
What human privilege, what lawless pow'r. 
Can one short day retard th' appointed hour ? 

Thrice thro' the midnight silence, from the ground 
The startled monarch hears a warning sound ; 
Thrice Menon's ghost a frowning spectre stands, 
And seems to beckon with his airy hands. 
A sudden faintness seiz'd his trembling heart. 
While hasty life retires from every part ; 
Speechless and pale his eye-balls roll in death. 
While with reluctant pangs he yields his breath? 

The mournful princess to his merit just. 
With wondrous pomp interred the royal dust : 
High on a mount his sepulchre she plac'd^ 
With marble spires, and painted arches grac'd. 
She bids farewell to love's deceitful flame ; 
Kesolv'd to leave behind a gloriousj name^ 
3n costly structures of immortal fame. 

A lofty dome to Belus first she built ; 
The inward roof with dazzling silver gilt ; 
The god was fashion'd in a wondrous mould. 
With perfect art ; his bulk was massy gold ; 
Jlis sacre4 utensils were all the same. 
While fragrant oils in golden ^opkets flame. 

Old Babel next with boundless post she wall'd ; 
And Babylon the spaciou? city call'd ; 
Its hounds with forts and battlements were croAyn'^;^ 
/Ln '. compass'd in an endless tract pf gro\md, 
5^?^Uey^ ^nd levpU'd hills the vast extent surround J 



ss 

Where fronting ranks of palaces were seen. 

With streams, and groves, and painted meads between- 

Euphrates in its course the town divides. 

While through the midst its stately current glides : 

Around tiie place a hundred gates unfold, 

Through which a hundred glitt'ring chariots roU'd ; 

Which all for state attend the queen's commands. 

When she her progress makes through distant lands. 

Jlesolv'd to visit now the neighbouring Medes, 

Her train she o'er the lofty Sagris leads. 

At pompous Ecbatana now she staid. 

And all her own magnificence display'd. 

Gay projects here employ 'd her active mind. 

Gardens, and seats of pleasure she design'd; 

Luxurious nature with her art combin'd. 

Not far from thence a plain extended lay. 
With stately groves and flowery verdure gay ; 
The spreading palm, the cedar, and the pine. 
Arching above their mingled branches join. 

Semiramis now turns an ancient flood. 
With matchless labour, through the charming wood^ 
The plenteous streams in various rills divides. 
While marbie bounds confine the crystal tides. 
In marble basons of an equal row, 
JMyrtle and balm, and flowery cassia grow. 
Prodigious rocks intire were hither brouglit. 
Smooth arches through their craggy sides were 

wrought : 
Here artificial hills, their summits rear. 
For shade retiring grots around appear. 
In various bioom the valleys stood below, 
From far the beauteous Syrian roses glow. 
All that perfume the 'tiest Sabxiin fields 



34 

Qtovts here, with all that sacred Nysa yields. 
Here breath'd the fragrant calamus, and fir, 
Cinnamon, frankincense, and weepiny myrrh. 
Shrill birds among the spicy branches sing. 
Their warbling notes along the valleys ring : 
The winds and waters with a gentle noise 
Double the sound, and answer every voice. 

The Queen awhile had these diversions prov'd. 
And then her court to Babylon remov'd : 
But, ah ! what heights of happiness are free 
From fickle chance, or certain destiny ? 
The princess finds a swift decay control 
The usual force, and vigour of her soul : 
Nor struggling nature could its force repel. 
While heaven and earth the public change foretei* 

She from the oracle enquires th' event. 
The flatt'ring priests this pleasing aaswer sent; 
That from the gods she drew her heavenly race,, 
And shortly must the immortal number grace. 
Pleas*d with the glories of her future state,' 
She yields without reluctance to her fate. 

Cyrena ends her tale ; the closing day 
"Withdrew its splendour, and forbid their sta^, 



BOOK VI. 

Josep/^8 mistress discovers her criminal passion to him^ 
but is repulsed. She complains to her nurse, toho vain* 
ty tries the force of spells. She is sent by her mistress 
to Uarpinus. His cell described. He consults the 
planets, and flatters, her -udth success. Still finding 
the Hebretv youth inflexible to all her charms^ she false' 
hj accuses him to his master , by whom he is conflned to 
a prison. 

oTILti with impatient love Sabrina pines, 

And now to speak the fatal truth designs ; 

Sooth'd by her own indulg-ent hopes, which trace 

A secret passion in the Hebrew's face. 

He sighs, and when he thinks himself alone. 

Oft seems some new misfortune to bemoan. 

In foreign aceents, and a tongue unknown. 

Her vanity an explanation found. 

And put a sense on every flatt'ring sound. 

Forgetful of her nuptial vows and fame. 

She fondly thus betrays her guilty flame : 

* If yet my torments are to thee unknown. 
If yet my sighs the mystery have not shewn. 
Insensible, — let this confession prove 

The strange excess and grandeur of my love. 
Yet had I still my wild desires supprest. 
Had not thine eyes an equal flame confest.* 

* Let me be punish'd with the last disdain,* 
,He said, * if e'er I harbour' 4 thoughts so vain'. 



36 

I ne*er Sabrina's favour so abus'd, 
K( • orxe your virtue in my heart accus'cl. 
Shor.ld T, perfidious, (heaven forbid) offend 
M}' generous master, — I might say my friend , 
Let scandal s'nk my name, when so unjust 
I prove, so false to hospitable trust !' 

Thus with a modest turn he would reclaim 
H*^ 1- amorous frenzy and conceal her shame ; 
Nor waits her leave but hastily withdrew. 
Careless her limbs upon a couch she threw. 
And curst her folly with a thousand tears 4 
Till Iphicle her artful nurse appears ; 
Of so much grief she press'd to know the cause. 
At last the secret from her mistress draws, 

* you wrong,' the beldam cries, ' your own desert^ 
For you have charms, the youth a human heart. 
Your beauty might a savage breast inspire. 
At sight of you the coldest age takes fire. 
But Where's the wonder that a bashful boy 
Should, at the first address, be nice and coy,? 
He loves, no doubt, and languishes like y<m ; 
But fears th' a'mbitious motive to pursue : 
Nor shall your utrtiost v/ishes want redress, 
I have a draught that gives divine success ; 
Nepenthe, which th' immortals quaff above. 
These sacred drops rewarded Chemis' love. 

When Totis, by his death, the full command 
Of Misraim left in fair Charoba's hand. 
The rich Gebirus from Chaldea came. 
With foreign pomp to seek the royal dame. 
Chemis adorned his train, whose charming face, 
Allur'd a goddess of tlie watery race ; 
On Nilus' banks the young Chaldean stood. 



Wlten lo ! Merina, rising- from thfe flood, 

Her cl>arlot set with pearl, the wave divides. 

Softly along the silver stream she glides. 

Her robes with pearl and sparkling rubies shiney 

Her brighter eyes express a light divine. 

Nor from her hiimid bed the blooming day 

Has e'er ascended with a clearer ray. 

Her smiles the raging tempest could appease. 

Allay the winds, and calm the swelling seas. 

She leaves her crystal vaults, and coral groves. 

Her liquid kingdoms, and immortal loves. 

And o'er the grassy meads with Chemis roves. 

And parting gave him this celestial spell. 

Which every good^Jrocures, and can each ill repel 

My mother from this youth derives her line, t 

And this she left me, as a gift divine. 

By all her ancestors preserv'd with care ; 

One heav'nly drop shall banish your despair.' 

Her flattering nurse's charm she vainly tries. 
For Joseph still her hateful passion flies. 
But obstinate in love, to gain her ends, 
To fam'd Ansana Iphicle she sends. 

Harpinus there an uncouth dwelling own'd, 
Slanted with yew and mournful cypress round ;; 
\Vhose shadows every pleasing thought contro), 
And fill with deep anxiety the soul. 
HitKer black fiends at dead of night advance. 
The horned Serim through the darkness dance '■ 
From earth, from air, and from the brmy deej> 
They come, and here nocturnal revels keep. 
From gloomy Acherusia, and the fen 
Of Serbon, and the forest of Birdene ; 
From Ophiodes, the serpent isle, the^ come^^ 
And Syrtes, wbere fantastic spectres roam ;. 
D 



From Chabnus, and the wild Psebaraln peak,. 
Whose hoary elilrs the clouds' lon^ order break. 

In hellish banquets, and obscene delights. 
The curst assembly here consume the nights. 
The sick'ning moon her feeble light withholds. 
In sable clouds her argent horns she folds ; 
The constellations quench their glimm'ring firej 
And frighted far to distant skies retire. 

Amidst these horrours, in his echoing cells. 
And winding vaults, the necromancer dwells : 
Passing from room to room, the brazen doors 
Resound,, as when exploded thunder roars. 
The day excluded thence, blue sulphur burns, 
"With frightful splendour, in a thousand urns. 
The wizard here employs his mighty spells. 
And great events by divination tells ; 
Inscribing mystic figures on the ground. 
And muttering words of an unlawful sound ; 
Which from their tombs the shiv'ring ghosts compely 
And force them future secrets to reveal. 
The stars he knew, when adverse or benign ; 
When with malignant influence they shine, 
Or, darting prosperous rays, to love incline. 

The nurse a pleasing answer here obtain VI 
And thus Sabrina's drooping thoughts sustained. 
* The third succeeding day shall crown your lovCj 
And every amorous star propitious prove.' 

Sabrina feeds the while her guilty flame. 
And now the third appointed morning came ; 
When fo.-? tJ^.e favotir'd youth in haste she sends -, 
The message with reluctance he attends. 
Silent she sits : vvliile waiting' her commands, 
Fix'd at a formal tlistance long he stands. 
Her eyes, still fix'd on Joseph's beauteous face, 
A close contempt, and inward hatred trace : 



Yet desperate to complete her own disgrace. 

* Ungrateful youth !' she cries, ' too well I find. 
By these cold looks, thy unrelenting- mind. 
Thy savage temper, and unconquer'd pride. 
By words of sacred import thou wouldst hide. 
Thou talk'st of holy ties, and rules severe, 
Pretendrng some avenging- god to fear. 
What god, alas ! does cruelty command ? 
Or human bliss maliciously withstand ? 
Such thoughts as these the heav'nly powers arraign. 
Efface their goodness, and their justice stain. 
Would they the generous principle control. 
Who gave this amorous bias to the soul ? 
What nature is, they made it : nor can bind 
With servile laws the freedom of the mind : 
Were this our lot, happy the brutal kind. 
That unmolested through the forest rove. 
Licentious in their choice, and uneon&i'd in love I 
Virtue! — a mere imaginary thing ; 
Torment it may, but can no pleasure bring. 
Honour ! — 'tis nothing but precarious fame, 
for empty breath, for a fantastic name. 
Wilt thou my soft entreaties still deny, 
AAd see me languish, and unpitied die ? 
Consent at last to lovers enchanting joys, 
While pleasure calls thee with her tempting voice : 
These folding curtains shall our bliss conceal. 
That no intruding eye o\ir theft reveal.' 

' Deluded fair 1' the noble youth replies, 
* Could we some artful labj-rinth devise 
To hide our sin, and far from mortal sight 
Retire, involv'd in all the shades of night ; 
Yet there — expos'd to heaven's unclouded view, 
^ts vengeance would our treachery pursue ; 



40 

Distinguish'd plaguefs would soon our guilt expose. 

While all your sex*s glory you must lose. 

To Potiphar alone your vows belong. 

In him a tender lover you must wrong. 

For me, where shall I hide my hated face. 

Could I be conscious of a crime so base ? 

No, let me through the yawning earth descend^, 

Bather than with base insolence offend 

The laws of God, and kindness of my friend ! 

My master's favours, endless to recite. 

When I with such ingratitude requite ; 

When with a thought so horrid and profan^ 

My faith and spotless loyalty I stain ; 

Let wrathful lightning, flashing round my head. 

And bolts of raging thunder, strike me dead ! 

Let execrations, and eternal shame. 

Destroy my peace, and blast my hated name !* 

These words with such an awful air he spoke, 
Celestial virtue sparkling in his look. 
His haughty mistress all her hopes resign'd. 
And felt a different frenzy seize her mind : 
Assisting fiends the hellish thought suggest^ 
And blot the tender passion from her breast. 
A crimson scarf with ornamental pride 
Was o'er his graceful shoulders loosely tied : 
This furiously she snatch'd, while from th* embrace;^ 
He frees himself, and quits the hated place. 
She call'd aloud, her voice Cyrena hears. 
And entering saw her well-dissembled tears. 
A tale of proffer'd violence she feigns. 
And of the Hebrew's arrogance complains. 
Alarm'd at her repeated calls, she said. 
The monster left his curst design, and fled, 
pis scarf the truth Goufirm'd ; her lord the while 



41 

Returns ; her words his easy faith beguile : 
Blinded with rage he calls the injur'd youth. 
And thus upbraids his violated truth : 

* How canst thou, wretch I belie a mind so base, 
With that undaunted air, and guiltless face ? 
Hypocrisy so steady and complete, 

A villian, cautious as thyself, might cheat ; 
No wonder then thy practis'd saintly shews 
Should on my honest, artless mind impose. 
My soul entire to thee I did resign. 
Except my bed, whate'er I had wa|^ thine, 
In fetters let the ungrateful slave be tied. 
Some gloomy dungeon shall the monster hide.' 

* Dungeons,' he said, * and chains I can defy. 
But would not, curst with your displeasure, die. 
This sad reflection aggravates my fate : 

How shall I bear my generous master's hate ? 
O stay ! at least my vindication hear. 
While by th* unutterable name I swear. 
My thoughts are all from this injustice clear.* 

He ceas'd, and still Sabrina's shame conceals. 
Nor one accusing word her fraud reveals. 
Now to a damp unwholesome vault convey 'd, 
Joseph in ignominious chains is laid. 



D2 



4g 



BOOK VII. 

^9ji ' angel visits Joseph in prison, and in a prophetic 
virion shorvs him his own adrvancement and the future 
fate of Ids father's posterity, their bondage, andmirac- 
tilous deliverance. The keeper of the -ward, convinced 
of Joseph^s innocence, treats hitn with great esteem. 
The dreams of his fello-w -prisoners ; and Joseph's in- 
terpretation. « 

X WAS nig-ht, and now advanc'd the solemn hour ; 
Tke keeper of the prison, from his tow'r. 
Astonish' d, sees a form divinely bright, 
3mile through the shades, and dissipate the night ; 
With streaming splendour tracii^ all the way. 
It enters where the new-come pris'ner lay. 

* Some God,' he cries, * who innocence defends. 
Some God in that propitious light descends. 
This stranger sure, whate'er the fadt can be 
Alleg'd against him, from the guilt is free." 

The sacred vision to the youth appears. 
|lis spirits with celestial fragrance cheers. 
His heav'nly smiles would e'en despair control, ~ 
And with immortal rapture fill the soul ; 
His youthful brows a fair tiara crov/n'd, 
A folding zone his gaudy vestments bound. 
]Pmbroider'd high vith am;;a-anthus round. 
Such wings th' Arabian phoenix never<wore, 
Spr nkled with gold, and shading purple o'er, ' 
:|5eneficent his aspect and address. 
His lips seraphic harmony er^press ,- 



43 

His voice might stay th' invading sleep of death, 
While these soft words flow from his balmy breath : 

* From the unclouded realms of day above. 
From endless pleasures, and unboui>ded love. 
From painted fields deck'd with immortal flow'rs. 
From blissful valleys, and ethereal bow'rs, 
I come, commissioned by peculiar grace, 
■yVith great presages to thy future race.* 

This Gabriel spoke ; the pious Hebrew^s breast 
Prophetic flame and pow*r divine confest : 
An awful silence, and profound suspense, 
Clos'd the tumultuous avenues Df sense ; 
The heav'nly trance, each wondering thought confin'd^ 
Collects the operations of the mind. 
While Gabriel all the inward scene designed. 

Before him, rais'd to high dominion, all 
His humble brethren in prostration fall : 
His joyful eyes again his father see. 
He takes the blessing on his bended knee. ~ 
Vastly in numbers Jacob's sons mcreas'd. 
Poor vassals, by the Egyptians are distress'd. 
And by a royal tyrant's yoke oppress'd. 
To heav'n they cry, an aid that never fails, 
Heav'n hears the cry, the potent pray'r prevails. 

A mighty prophet, by divine command. 
Does bold before the raging monarch stand. 
And brixigs his great credentials in his hand. 
Across the ground his wond'rous rod he throws 9 
The rod, trans form'd, a moving serpent grows, 
Unfolds hi§ speckled train, and o'er the pavement flows« 
A dazzling train of miracles ensue. 
Which speak the propliet, and his mission true. 

The springs, the standing lakes, and running floodj, 
pis pow'yiul word convgrts to recking blogd j 



44 

The wounded billows stain the verdant shore. 

Advancing* slowly with a mournful roar. 

Infernal nig-ht her sable wings extends. 

And from the black unbottom*d deep ascends ; 

The seer denounces plagues on man and beast ; 

Contagious torments soon the air infest ; 

Aloud he bids a sudden tempest rise. 

On rapid wings the storm obedient flies ; 

Th' extending skies are rent from pole to pole, 

Blue lightnings flash, and dreadful thunders roll. 

Nor yet th' obdurate king the God reveres. 
Whom ev'ry element obsequious fears ; 
Till vengeful strokes of pow'r, confessed divine. 
With clear, but terrible conviction, shine. 

The night was cover'd with unusual dread. 
While ev*ry star malignant influence shed. 
Pale spectres through the streets of Zoam roam. 
From sepulchres amazing echoes come ; 
While, like a flaming meteor, down the skies. 
With threatening speed, the fatal angel flies. 
Reluctant justice, with a grace severe. 
Sits in his looks, and triumphs in his air, 
A crested helmet shades his awful brows. 
Behind his military vesture flows. 
And like an ev'ning's ruddy meteor glows. 

He grasps his sword, unsheath'd for certain fate» 
Destruction, death, and terror on him wait : 
Mortal the stroke, invisible the wound, 
While dying groans with mingled shrieks resound. 
Trom house to house the dreadful rumour runs, 
While wretched fathers mourn their first-born sons# 

The alarm'd Egyptians, at the break of day. 
Hurry the sacred multitude away : 
But Pharaoh soon his daring sin renews. 



,45 

Blaspheming loud, the rescued slaves pursues » 
The fearful tribes stand trembling- on the shore. 
The foe behind, a raging- sea before. 

Their glorious chief extends his pow'rful wand, 
A^yi- gives the mighty signal from the strand; 
Th' obedient waves the mighty signal lake. 
And, parting, crowd the distant sarges back ! 
On either hand, like crystal hills, they rise. 
Between a wide stupendous valley lies : 
With joyful shouts the grateful Hebrews pass. 
Nor does the harden'd foe decline the chase : 
Till heav'n's command the wat'ry chain dissolveSj 
And hi the whelming deep then* pride involves. 
While Israel tlu'ough the desert take their way. 
Led by a cloud which marches on by day ; 
But resting cheer*d th' encamping host by night. 
With lambent flamci and unexampled light. 

Where lofty Sinah shades the neighbouring plain. 
Commanded, now the sacred tribes remain ; 
Prepar'd with mystic rites, to hear with awe 
Their Saviour God pronounce their future law ; 
Close bounds the mountain guard from all approach. 
That rashly none the hallow'd place might touch. 

Keluctant see th' appointed morning rise. 
And fiery splendours glow around the skies. 
While from th' ethereal summit God descends. 
Beneath his feet the starry convex bends. 
His radiant form majestic darkness hides. 
While on the tem.pest's rapid wings he rides. 
The trembling earth his awful presence owns, 
The forest flames, the cleaving desert groans. 
Each river back his wand'ring current calls. 
And rushing down the subterranean falls. 
To the profoundest caves affrighted flies, 
Reveal'd and bare each sandy channel lief. 



46 

Their stately heads the ancient mountains siak. 
And to a level with the vales would shrink : 
Again secure in their primeval beds. 
Beneath the waves would hide their fearful heads. 
Old Sinah quakes at the tremendous weight, 
That press'd with awftil feet his cloudy height ; 
Obscur'd with blackness, shades, and curling smoke, 
Prodigious lightning from the darkness broke ; 
While raging thunders round the welkin fly, 
Th' ethereal trumpet sounding loud and high. 

Adoring low the pious nation bend, 
And now the solemn voice of God attend : 
The angel shifts the scene, and leaves the rest. 
Inimitable all, and not to be express'd. 

The curtain'd tabernacle next he paints 
Isor colours for the gay pavilion wants ; 
The golden altar, with attending priests. 
Their sacred pomp, and instituted vests. 
Then brings the favour'd tribes where Jordan flows. 
And all the well-known bordering landscape shows. 

An airy conquest on Bethoron's plain. 
The warlike sons of Jacob now obtain : 
Before the troops a glorious leader stands, 
A painted jav'lin balanc'd in his hands ; 
He boldly thus the rolling orbs commands : 

* Thou sun ! to lengthen this victorious day. 
With ling'ring beams on lofty Gibeah stay : 
And thou, fair moon ! retard thy hasty flight. 
And gild the vales of Ajalon at night.' 

This said, the flying army they pursue. 
And all tjie Amorean kings overthrew. 
The promis'd land entirely gain'd, they spread 
Their peaceful dwellings round Moriah's head. 

But with the night the pleasing vision flies ; 
©abriel unseal'd the youthftil prophet's eyes^ 



47 

His senses from the heavenly trance released. 
And all the sacred agitation ceas'd. 
The thoug-htful keeper early to the vault 
Descends, and thence the injur'd pris'ner brought j 
Treats bim with kindness, and a just regard. 
And gave him all the freedom of the ward. 

Of Pharaoh's servants two were here detain'd ; 
The steward, who his table did command, 
i With him that fill'd the royal cup with wine ; 
Suspected both as traitors in design. 
Josrph, observing a dejected air 
Sat heavy in their eyes, with frieiKily care 
Enquires the cause, which freely both reveal^ 
Mysterious dreams of the past night they tell. 

And thus the first : — * Methought a goodly vine 
Grew up, unpropp'd, three waving branches shine 
With purple grapes, and to my hand incline : 
I press'd the tempting fruit without control. 
Then gave to Pharaoh's hand the flowing bowL* 

The next begins : — * Three canisters replete 
With royal viands, and luxurious meat, 
Oppress'd my drooping head, while birds of prey 
With direful croakings snatch'd the food away.* 

* Unhappy man ! thy dream from God was sent/ 
The Hebrew said, * and full of black portent : 
The third returning day shall bring thy doom. 
When thou a prey to vultures shalt become.* 
Then to the first, these joyful comments sound : 
* Before the sun has twice fulfill'd his round. 
Thou with thy former honours shalt be crown*d. 
But in the triumph of thy prosp'rous fate. 
Kindly remember my unhappy state. 
Who by the blackest falsehood here am stay'd :* 
To this the man a courtier's promise made. 



48 



BOOK VIII. 

Joseph'' s mistress languishes in sorrotu and remorse for 
her treachery : tvhich she confesses in the agonies of 
death. PharaoKs prophetic dreams interpreted by 
Joseph. His grandeur, and marriage ivith the daugh- 
ter of an E yptian priest. 

JJtJT now Sabrina's guilty fire returns. 
Her bosom with raging" passion burns ; 
She with a female tenderness relents. 
And all her former cruelty repents. 
By her accus*d, in chains the captive lies. 
For whom she fondly languishes and dies. 
Tormented, and enrag'd, she often curst 
Her pride, her folly, and revengeful lust. 
A deep remorse of conscience for her sin. 
With constant horrors, vex her soul within. 
Her thoughts ten thousand racking torments feel. 
Yet in her treacherous crime obdurate still. 
Her life and youthful spu'its melt away. 
Her beauty withers with a swift decay : 
By day she wildly raves, consumes the night 
In thoughtless watchings, and imagined fright ; 
While airy terrours glide before her sight. 
Pale ghosts, with wild distorted eye-balls stare. 
And burning spectres through the darkness glare- 
Till, forc'd by fate, and torments more intense. 
To vindicate suspected innocence. 
To Potiphar the hidden truth she tells. 
And all the faithless mystery reveals. 
* And now he comes — insulting death !* she cries* 



49 

* Perpetual durkaess swims before my ey6s. 
If there are g-ods that human thing's regard. 
My monstrous crimes will meet a just reward. 

sacred virtue ! at thhie awful name 

1 start, and all my former thoughts disclaim ; 
For thou art no fantastic empty thing, 
From thee alone unmingled pleasures spring. 
The world, the boundless universe I'd give. 
My first unblemish'd honour to retrieve : 

'Tis vainly wish'd ! to some strange realms below^ 
Some dark uncomfortable coasts I go.' 

She spoke and gasping- in the pangs of death. 
With lingering agonies resign'd her breath : 
While Joseph by the courtier was forgot. 
Till fate the period of his freedom brought. 

Th' Egyptian monarch, from a short repose 
And troubled visions, with the morning rose. 
T' explain the doutbful omens in his breast, 
He summoned every planetary priest : 
Their orders which to different stars belong, 
Were soon assembled, a surprising throng ; 
Sullen their looks, and varied was their vest, 
A wild devotion through the whole exprest. 

One wore a mantle of a leaden hue. 
Trailing behind, a sweeping length it drev/ ; 
With poppies, aconite, and hellebore. 
Mandrake and nightshade, strangely figur'd o're : 
A treble twist of serpents curling round. 
With monstrous ornament the foldmgs bound. 

With some a verdant forest seem'd to move. 
Their flowing robes white balmy branches wove. 
With pantiiers, bears, and every savage beast 
Express'd in lively colours, some were dr'ess'<4. 
On otl;ers' eagles spread their wjng-s, on some 
E 



5d 

Appear*d the ostrich's hieroglyphic plutTje ; 
While others wore a painted crocodile, 
With all the monstrous progeny of Nile. 

Nasar, a youth, vow'd to the morning" star. 
With budding roses had adorn'd his hair. 
His raiment of inestimable cost 
Glitter'd with pearl, an imitated frost, 
O'erspread with landscapes wrought in minature. 
Surprising scenes the ravish'd sight allure ; • 
Clear fountains, flow^ery walks, and myrtle groves. 
Peacocks with g'audy trains, and shining doves. 
The prince wdth anxious looks relates his dreams. 
The doubtful sages search their heavenly schemes r 
But all their stars were mute, the meaning flies 
111 trackless darkness, and obscure disguise. 

The bearer of the cup did now reflect 
On his past danger and his base neglect ; 
And thus his royal master he addressed : 
* Be Pharaoh's bounty, and my guilt cor^fess'd. 
When with my fellow criminal detain'd. 
We by thy justice in the ward remain'd, 
A Hebrew youth, unjustly there confin'd, 
From nightly omens, which perplex'd the mind^ 
With clear conviction did our lot unfold ; 
My honour, and the stev/ard's doom foretold. 
Amidst the solemn darkness of the night. 
His cell has glitter'd with ethereal light ; 
For, highly favour'd by Ih' immortal gods. 
To visit him they left their bright abodes.' 

Joseph, unfetter'd, they frox prison bring. 
By Heav'n inspir'd, he stands before the king ; 
Who thus repeats his dream : * Methoiight I stood 
On the fair borders of our sacred flood ; 
While, curious, I survey'd the spreading stream* 



51 

Seven bulky oxen from the river came. 

Fat and well favour'd : o*er the verdant mead 

They proudly rang'd, and on the pastiu-e feed : 

When just their number rose, of aspect sour, 

111 shap'd, and meagre, who the first devour. 

The scene was chang-'d, when springing in my walk;, 

Seven blades of corn adorn'd one bending stalk, 

Ripened and full ; when, lo ! a second rears 

His blasted top, with seven unfruitful ears ; 

This swallow*d greedily the former store. 

As the lean oxen did the fat before. 

I woke with great anxiety oppress'd, 

_ABd for the meaning every god address*d.' 

* The Almighty God, o'er earth and skies supreme/ 
The youthful prophet cries, * has sent this dream 

To Pharaoh, which discovers future things ; 
What changes on the world his pleasure brings. 
With one intent the sacred vision came. 
Of both the hidden meaning is. the same. 

* Seven plenteous years begin their joyful round. 
The fields with boundless harvests shall be crown'd ; 
Then seven unprosperous years shall these devour. 
And leave no remnant of the former store. 

* But that the people and the king may live. 
This counsel Heav'n commissions me to give. 
That wasteful luxury should be restrain'd. 

And wise intendants through the realm ordain*d : 
Let these against the threat'ning ill provide. 
Lay up the corn, and o'er the stores preside.' 

* This youth by some propitious power was sent/ 
The prince replies, * our ruin to prevent ; 

Then bids them an imperial vestment bring, 

And from his finger draws a costly ring ; 

' And this/ he said, * a sacred pledge shall be 



52 

Of those bright honours I reserve for ther. 
My power, my king-dom, I to thee resigri, 
The sovereig-n title only shall be mine ; 
To thee my noblest favourites shjtll bow, 
Our guardian god, our great preserver thou I* 

His second, chariot then the king ordains 
Should be prepar'd ; vi^hite steeds with.scarlet reins 
The triumph drew ; they champ the golden bit, 
And spurn the dusty ground with airy feet. 
On high' with princely pomp the youth was plac'd. 
With marks of power, and regal ensigns grac'd. | ' 
Gay heralds * bow the knee,* before him cry, ^i 

I'he crowd adore him as he passes by ; '^f 

Nor here the royal favours were confin'd, :^i 

Great Pharaoli's daughter is his bride design'd. ; 

The night had twice in sable triumph reign'd, - 
And twice the circling light its empire gain'd ; 
When from the high apartment Joseph sees 
A lofty temple through the waving trees. 
To Isis vow'd : he, ft-om the gilded dome, 
Ravish'd, beheld a beauteous virgin come. 
An artless modesty improves her face, 
An elegant reserve, and matchless grace, 
A rosy tincture in her cheeks appears. 
Lovely as that the blooming morning wears ; 
Her eyes a sprightly blue ; her length of hair 
Dishevelled hung, like threads of silver fair. 
Long strings of jet and pearl, in mingled twists, 
Adorn'd her weil-shap'd neck, and slender wristg. 
Her robes were heavenly azure, sprinkled o'er 
With stars ; a crescent on her breast she wore. 

The wounded Hebrew for the virgin sigh'd 
And felt a growing passion yet untried ! 
Her lovely image, on his mind impress'd. 



Had fix'd her empire in his yielding breast- 

But O ! what anguish did his soul invade, 

"When he was told, the lov'd enchanting m^id 

At Isis' holy shrine devoutly bow'd, 

A virgin priestess to the goddess vow'd ! o 

* This, this,* he cried, * must all my hopes confoundj, 

Helpless my grief, incurable my wound ! 

Meantime the fame uncontradicted goes, 
That he th' Egyptian princess must espouse. 
Pain'd and distress'd, he hears the spreading news. 
And dreads the offer which he must refuse. 
Or wHh dissembled vows the imperial hiaid abuse. 
Asenath's power (that was the priestess* name) 
Would in his heart admit no rival flame. 

The royal maid no less unhappy prov'd. 
Who long illustrious Orramel had lov'd ; 
An Ethiopian prince, whose faultless face. 
And shape, exceeded all the tawny race. 
His features nobly turn'd, his piercing eyes 
Sparkled like stars amidst the gloomy skies ; 
At once they dazzled and engag'd the sight. 
With awful lustre and imperious light. 
Black as a midnight cloud, his yielding hair 
In easy curls waves to the gentle air. 
The princess, pain'd with secret discontent. 
Her father's purpose labours to prevent ; 
In vain ; the king obstructs her young desires^ 
But first the pleasure of the gods inquires. 

Just Potiphera, an unblemish'd priest. 
His piety sincere, but ill address'd. 
While fragrant incensp round the temple smokes, 
Osiris from the monarch he invokes. 
The fiends, in hopes to cross the great design. 
And awful will of Providence divine, 
■E 2 



H 

With penalties forbid the king's intent, 
The Hebrew's future greatness to pravent ; 
Then nam'd the fair Asenath for his bride, 

i-X,i, And blindly with eternal fate complied ; 

I'; ■ *Eflfecting heav'n's predestinated ends. 

While Joseph's ruin envious hell intends ; 
Nor doubts the young idolatress would prove 
His snare, and soon seduce him with her love. 
The priest, yet trembling, near the altar stands, 
And dreads the sacrilege the god commands, 
"= My daughter nam'd !' he cries, * to Isis vow'd 
By mystic rites, which no reverse allow'd ! 
It must be so ! — The gods pronounce it fit, 
The priest his w;ill, the king must his submit.' 

The maid reluctant leaves the holy shrine. 
But yields, obedient to the powers divine. 
The gift as HeavVs the joyful youth regards. 
Which thus bright virtue crowns, aiij sacred truth 
rey/ards- 






fiOOK IX. 

The seven plenteous years ; -with the ensuing i/ears of 
scarcity. Joseph's character as regent over the land 
of Egypt. Jacob, distressed -with the famine, sends 
his sons thithoi^ for corn. Joseph' discovers his breth- 
ren, hut is unknotvn to them. Pretends to suspect' 
themjas public spies, and keeps them three days in pHs- 
on ,• at last sends them back, iviih a charge to bring 
their younger brother ivith them, and detains Simeon as 
an hostage till their return. 

' A HE jocund years, with smiling- plenty crown'd 
In shining circles, now advanc'd their round : 
Unbounded crops reward the reaper's toil. 
And rustic pleasures cheer the banks of Nile. 
The Hebrew late advanc'd by royal grace. 
With dignity and splendour fills his place. 
Still watchful for the public good, with care 
Restrains excess by penalties severe, 
"While just jce, truth, and temperate virtue, re\g\rd^ 
Amidst the height of plenty through the land : 
His prudent sway, the grateful People bless 
In all the calm serenity of peace. 

Eut soon the smiling years their period run, 
A gloomy era now its course begun : 
Pale famine comes, with her malignant train, 
Dries up the springs, and taints the fertile plain - 
The trees decay, each fiower and balmy plant 
Pine at their roots, and vital humour want; 
No pearly moisture on the meadov/ lies^ 



56 

To fan the air no g-entle breezes rise. 
The languid moon sheds from her silent sphere 
No cooling dews, the thirsty earth to cheer. 
A sultry night ensues a scorching day; 
While dismal signs the fiery clouds- display. 

Nor Egypt mourns alone her blasted ground. 
Pale famine stalks through all the region round ! 
Moriah's plain, and Hermon's flowery hill, 
Wither'd and bare, the liot contagion feel ; 
That fertile climate, by peculiar grace^ 
Designed the lot of Abram's future race. 
Where long with peace, -and fatal plenty gay. 
The Pagan princes bore imperial sway. 
Their crimes not full :— wiiile Jacob sojourn'd hene ; 
A stranger, as his great forefathers were : 
The common fate he shares, with famine press'd. 
And for his num'rous family distress'd : 
He sends his sons, by heav'nly conduct led, 
To Egypt's plenteous granaries, for bread : 
Domestic wants require their utmost haste. 
And Zoan's regal towers they reach at last, 

AVith soft Assyria, now in ail her pride 
Of wealth and grandeur, Pharaoh's palace vied . 
More honour'd siill the rising favourite grew. 
No bounds his royal master's kindness knew ; 
His graceful person charming to the sight, 
Miijestic, yet more mild than morning light : 
His vu-tues every grateful tongue employ. 
The people's boust, their wonder, and their joy- 
All private views were to his soul unknown. 
He made the kingdom's welfare still his own : 
Th' oppressor's wi'ongs are by his power redressM, 
Jtie guards the orphan, succours the distress'd. 
Siis fame to distant countries flies abroad, 



57 

"While Egypt names him as her guardian g-od. 

Assiduous still, his officers attend 

Where * neighbouring states their num'rous convoys 

send ; 
Who for themselves, and pining race, implore 
The food of life from his abundant store. 

Among the foremost of the suppliant crowd 
The Hebrew swains with low submission bow'd ; 
With stern regard each kindred face he views, 
Their sight the late detested scene renews ; 
Their parting malice and inhuman rage 
To just revenge his swelling thoughts engage. 

Long silent, in a gloomy pause he stands ; 
At last their country, business, name, ^demands. 

* My Lord, thy servants,' with a modest grace 
Judah replies, * are all of Hebrew race ; 
Twelve brethren late, a joyful father's boast. 
Till one, by some unhappy chance, was lost ; 
The youngest with his aged sire remains. 

The darling, which his drooping life sustains j 
To purchase corn we come, our failing breath 
And infant race, to save from ling'ring death.' 

* Thy tale,' he said, * unfolds its own disguise, 
By Pharaoh's sacred life, you all are spies !' 
Then to the guards with stern command he turn;?. 
While yet resentment in his bosom burns ; 

* In close confinement be those men retain'd. 

Till we some knowledge of their plot have gain'd .* 

With just remorse and secret horrour struck. 
The conscious Hebrews at each other look. 
In foreign accents to the guards unknown. 
Their length of unrepented sin they own ; 
Joseph, not yet withdrawn, their language hears. 
And hastes away to hide the gushing tears. 



58 

* O ! we are guilty of our brother's blood. 
Though Heav'n th' intended fratricide withstood : 
With unrelenting haste, for sordid gold. 
The gentle youth to Midianites we sold 
A slave, and such perhaps he still may live ; 
Almighty God, the monstrous crime forg^ive ! 
Unmov'd we saw the anguish of his breast. 
In mournful looks, and flowing tears exprest ; 
Unmov'd, and lost to nature, virtue, sense, 
Unmov'd we heard his tender eloquence. 
Such beauty, innocence, and blooming grace 
Would have subdued in wilds a savage race. 
What cave, what dungeons, should such monsters hide. 
We stand condemn'd, and Heaven is justified.' 

When Reuben, who the barbarous act disclaim'd. 
In these sad terms their former malice blam'd. 
« Would Heaven your flowing tears might wash away 
The bloody stains of that detested day ; 
Its horrour, with eternal grief, I trace ; 
The soft impression of my brother's face 
Dwells on my heart, the tragic scene I view. 
The mournful object is for ever new. 
Methinks I see the anguish, the surprise. 
The melting sorrow in his lovely eyes. 
While kneeling, pleading all the tender clairat 
Of kindred blood, he singly call'd your names. 
And one by one invok'd— what power I had 
Was all employ'd to save the guiltless lad. 
His filial love, and goodness free from art, 
Touch'd ev'ry tender motion in my heart. 
When for his drooping father's hoary age 
He tried your soft compassion to engage : 
I heard his cries, while round his suppliant Ijands j 
Without remorse you tied the cruel bands ; 



59 

My soul was wounded with the farewell groan.jr 
When to the yawning pit you forc'd him down. 
What hellish frenzy did your bosoms fire 
Against such youth and virtue to conspire ? 
What was his mighty crime ? — a childish dream, 
A sleeping fancy's visionary scheme r 
His blood's aveng'd — while here we lie confin'd. 
Our wretched offspring are with famine pin'd.' 

Their eldest brother's just reproach they own. 
And humbly now address th' eternal throne. 
With penitence sincere they iMly mourn, 
While thrice the day and tedious night return. 

Meantime the thoughtful regent in his breast 
The first vindictive motions had supprest. 
When early for the Hebrew train he sends, 
And kindness in a stern disguise intends ; 
Conducted to his presence, prostrate all 
(As once their sheaves before his sheaf) they fait- 

* The power that sits above the stars I fear,' 
He said, * nor shall you find injustice here. 
To prove that you have no clandestine view, 
Nor hostile aim, but are to honour true. 

One of your kindred ntimber left behind, 

Th' attending guards shall as an hostage bind , 

Secure from wrong the captive shajllremain^ 

If at set limits you return again ; 

But be forever exiles fi'om the place. 

Nor ever hope again to see my face. 

Unless you bring your youngest brother here 

No more on Egypt's fatal coast appear ; 

I?e this a proof your words have no disguise, 

Ov you, by Pharaoh's sacred life, are spies.' 

* Alas ! my lord, in tents thy servants sleep,' 
The -sWains replied, 'our herds and bleating sheep 



60 

IngToss our humble care, no martial claims 
Disturb our minds, no wild ambitious aims ; 
^ran^ers to pompous courts, the flowery field, 
;7^^ _^\iad tuneful grove^ to us their pleasure yield ; 
''^^^^ftrienvied there, secure from noise and strife. 
In harmless ease we spend a peaceful life ; 
Oar costless banquets in some balmy shade. 
With nature's simple luxury are made ; 
No dreams of grandeur, no aspiring thought, 
Thy servants to the Memphian limits brought ; 
Distress'd with famine, to this friendly shore 
We came, your kind assistance to implsre.' 

This sai4, they find themselves dismiss'd at last 
With full supplies, and to their country haste. 
When scarce arriv'd before their father's tent 
His busy thoughts presag'd some sad event : 
The captive son was miss'd — his fears t' expel, 
Th' unpleasing truth in soothing words they tell. > 
With temper ev'ry circumstance he hears, 
Till the fond prop of his declining years, 
His Benjamin, was nam'd — that cruel part, 
Li spite of all their well-meant flatt'ring art, 
With piercing anguish wounds his inmost soul. 
No pleas of reason can its force control. 
His hoary head, with- weighty sorrow press'd, 
Dejected sunk upon his pensive breast. 
Tiie careful travellers now their sacks untied, 
Surpris'd, their coin restor'd ag\tln tliey spied, 

' What can those mysteries mean,' g-ood Jacob said , 
* What fatal storm is breaking o'c^r jny head ^ 
Why is my life prolong'd? of bliss bcref. ' 
Joseph is not ; — my single comfort left. 
To distant climes an exile you would bear. 
AsTctiost me all tiiese sad events apDe'»r ; 



61 

But know, the flame of life shall quit my heart 
Bre with the lovely blooming^ youtii I part/ 

* Content we then must sacrifice^ our lives. 
Our guiltless offspring", and our tender wiveS;, 
Judah replies, * condemn'd to perish liere. 
And ne'er again on Egypt's coasts ap^ar : 
The man, the mighty ruler of tlie land. 

With eyes to Heav'n address'd, and lifted hand. 
The man protested with a solemn grace. 
Not one of us should ever see his face. 
Nor other proof our innocence should clear. 
Unless we brought our youngest brother there. 

* And why would you that needless truth make 

known. 
Or that you had a younger brother own ?' 
The anxious parent said. — * Alas ! could we,' 
Reuben replies, * the consequence foresee ; 
Or had the certainty been fully known. 
Could we, with specious lies, the fact disown l 
Or straitly question'd by a man so great. 
Conceal our public or domestic state ? 
Indeed he roughly talk'd, but still there broke 
Some secret pity through his fiercest look ; 
However dark the past events appear. 
We've nothing from such clemency to fear : 
Where'er with easy state he pass'd along*. 
His virtues echoed through tl^e shouting throng ; 
Then why, my honour'd sire, these vain delays ? 
Paternal cares a thousand scruples raise : i 

Your Simeon bound, a slave unransom'd lies. 
Our time's elaps'd, and we condem'd for spies ; 
Commit your darling to my faithful hand. 
Of me again the sacred pledge demand. 
Two lovely boys, adorn'd with ev'ry grace. 



^9, 

Secure I leave as sureties in his place ; 
If any negligence my honour stain. 
Without compassion let them both be slain.* 

Half yielding now he stands — ^their household straits, 
Judah with artless eloquence repeats. 

With faultering speech, and anguish in his eyes, 
< Then go in peace,' the vanquish'd patriarch cries? 
" Celestial Providence your steps attend. 
And angel guards fromi every ill defend ; 
With double money for your corn advance^ 
Perhap&^the restoration was a chance ; 
But take some grateful present in your hand;, 
The balmy products of your native land : 
And be th* eternal Majesty implor'd 
(The God my great progenitors ador'd) 
To grant you favour in the ruler's sight. 
And bring your injur'd innocence to light : 
But know, if mischief should the lad attend. 
My hoary hairs down to the grave ye send.' 



63 



BOOK X, 

The Hebrews return -with their youngest brother inia 
Egypt. Joseph treats them ivith great kindness and 
a splendid entertainment ; but still he conceals his re- 
lation to them. At last they are dismissed ivith plen- 
tiful supplies of corn ,- but the ate-ward, as commanded 
by his lord, secretly conveys a silver cup into Benja- 
min^ s sack. After they are gone out of the city, he 
pursues and charges them -with the pretended theft ; 
and at last he fnds it in Benjamin's sack. They re- 
turn with consternation, -when Joseph discovers himself 
to. tliem. 



X HEIR father's blessing on their knees they take^ 
And now to Memphis quick advances make. 
Where, safe arrived, but fearful of their doom, 
To Joseph's steward hastily they come. 
Disclose in humble terms their late mistake. 
And tender doubled all the money back. 

* Your father's God,' he said, * your coin restor'd, 
'Twas justly paid,' then leads them to his lord. 

Their gifts, with prostrate hojnage they present, 
His gracious smiles their rising doubts prevent : 
Forgetful of himself, with eager haste. 
He forward stept, and Benjamin embrac'd; 
His heart expands with sympathetic joy. 
While in his arms he folds the wond'ring boy j 
Fond nature struggles with the vain disguise, 
A brother sparkles in his radiant eyes : 
Scarce all his stately grandeur from the youth 



64 

(With mutual rapture touch'd) conceals the truth i 
And half disclos'd the kindred soul appears. 
Till Joseph flies to hide the swelling tears. 
That melting- love and soft surprise excite. 
But recollected, soon returns in sight. 
Conducts them now into a spacious hall 
Where well-born slaves, obsequious tq the call. 
To luxury inur'd, with artful care, 
A splendid banquet instantly prepare ; 
Embroider'd carpets cover all the ground, 
While fragrant ointments spread their odoura round, 
"Large silver lavers, with officious care, 
The gay attendants round the circle bear. 

A«d now with costly fare aad sparkling vkie 
Of various sort, the loaded tables shine. 
Beneath a glitt'ring canopy af state. 
In Tyrian robes, the graceful regent sat ; 
With all the bounty of a royal feast 
He nobly entertains eacb Hebrew guedt : 
Their hostage freed the mutual joy completeis. 
In order plac*d, they take their destined' seat*: 
With sprightly wines, and social converse gay. 
In guiltless mirth they spend the fleeting day. 

lu calm repose supinely past the night. 
Till rising with the morning's rosy light. 
They haste away, v/ith Ml provisions stor'd. 
In every sack (as order'd by his lord) 
Their coin the steward secretly conveyed, 
A silver cup in Betyamin's was laid. 

Secure the suburbs* utmost bounds were pa»t„ 
When with a feign'd concern and anxious hastCs 
He overtakes the hindmost of the train. 
And thus accosts them in an angry strain ; 
' How could you thus, ungrateful and unjust^ 



65 

Against the rules of hospitable trust. 

Combine, the consecrated cup to steal. 

By which my lord does secret things reveal ?' 

*With what strange meaning is thy language 
fraught,' 
Surpris'd, they cry, * we're guiltless, even in thought. 
And by th' immortal God, we dare protest. 
Such black designs are strangers to our breast j 
Our coin unask'd exactly we restor'd. 
How should we then abuse thy injur'd lord. 
And basely gold, or silver, from him steal. 
While recent favours yet ouy thanks compel f 
if such enormous guilt our bosoms stain. 
Vassals for life thy servants shall remain ; 
The wretch, convicted of a crime so high, 
Unpitied here before thy face shall die.' 

* Content,' he said, and search'd their burdens 
round ; 
At last, the cup in Benjamin's was found : 
With wild despair, their folding vests they renf. 
And backward to the royal office went. 

The regent here, but O I how chang'd, they find 
No more the mild beneficent, and kind. 
But fiercely asking, in an alterM tone, 

* What wrong is this your guilty hands have done ? 
You well might know, where dress and learning shine„ 
A man like me must certainly divine.' 

Prostrate they fall, while Judah for the rest. 
With mingled sighs their mutual grief express'd: 

* What can I say ?— how shall thy servant speak ? 
In what pathetic words my silence break ? 
What energy of language shall I find. 

To pamt the wild distraction of my mind ? 
Justice Divine, with keen revenge begins 
■ ^3 



66 

To reckon up our lengthened score of sins ; 
Our secret crimes, this rigorous stroke demand; 
And self-condemn'd, we here thy vassals stand.* 

* No,' cries the gracious regent, * only he 
With whom the cup was found, my slave shall be ; 
Return in peace, your needless fears resign. 

This youth, a public criminal, is mine.* 

When Judah thus (still gently drawing near) 
* Be pleas'd, my lord, to lend a gracious ear. 
While I the tender circumstance repeat. 
And for my father's hoary age entreat. 
Two lovely boys, the pleasure of his life. 
And only offspring of a beauteous wife. 
The elder branch by an untimely death, 
Snatch'dfrom his arms, long since resign'd his breath; 
The youngest, who does now his care engage. 
The single prop of his declining age. 
The constant theme of every pleasing thought. 
Your strict command, my lord, has hither brought ; 
Oar sire (thy servant) long refus'd to grant. 
The pressing buit, till forc'd by meagre want. 
And just concern, to clear our injur'd truth. 
He to my conduct gave the gentle youth. 

* But O, what killing anguish pier'cd his heart. 
When thus compell'd with benjamin to part : 
With all the eloquence that filial love 

Could e'er inspire, to calm his fears I strove ; 
But all in vain, on dismal thoughts intent. 
If mischief should his blooming life prevent, 
'■* AJy hoary hairs," he said, " with grief oppress'd. 
Must to the gloomy grave descend for rest." 

* And I, unhappy, whither shall I go 

To shun that dark distracting scene of woe / 
My father's wretchedness I cannot see, 



OT 

l)eprit'd of ev^ry future joy by me'; 

For I, with all the arguments I had. 

Became myself a surety for the lad. 

And must again the precious pledge restore, 

Or see my aged parent's face no more. 

* My lord, you seem to have a tender heart, 
(Though sometimes forc'd to act a rigorous part) 
This first, unfortunate oifence forgive. 

Or let thy servant here a vassal live, 

A bond-slave in my youngest brother's stead, 

Condemn*d no more my native soil to tread.' 

No longer Joseph could his tears control, 
Or hide the soft emotions of his soul ; 
Relenting signs, the watchful Hebrews saw. 
In haste he bids th' attendants all withdraw. 

* I am your brother Joseph,' then he cries. 
With tears and melting goodness^ in his eyes, 

* That brother you to Midian merchants sold 
On Dothan's plain — nor need the rest be told.' 
The cruel fact, alas ! too well they knew. 
And, with disorder'd looks, each other view. 

He then demands,—* How fares my honour'd sire ? 
Confus'd and mute they farther off retire ; 
A guilty shame on every face was spread. 

* Come near, my brethren,' then he mildly said, 

* Reflect not on yourselves, with thoughts severe. 
It was not you, but God, that seat me here ; 

His goodness rul'd the circumstance and place 
To save the stock of Abram's sacred race ; 
Five years of cruel famine yet remain. 
While, destitute of hope, the careful swain 
Shall neither sow nor reap — the burning soil 
Untill'd shall lie, or mock his fruitless toil ; 
J8ut Heav'n has sent me here to save your li'/eg. 



f 68 

Your infant offspring, and your tender y^iVes. 

Th* Egyptian kingf, in every virtue great. 

Ordains me second ruler in the state : 

The strength, the power, the wealth of all the land^ 

Without restraint, are trusted to my hand. 

Return, and in my father's ears relate 

The plenty, pomp, and grandeur of my state ; 

Tell him, 1 long his hoary age to greet. 

And throw myself in raptures at his feet : 

Let him come down to Goshen's healthful air. 

His whole domestic 9harge shall be my care, 

* Dismiss your fears — this painful silence break ! 

You see a friend ! you hear a brother speak ! 

Behold the tender motions of my heart, 

No more disguis'd with grandeur or with art! 

Regard me well, the kindred features trace. 

You'll find the prints of nature in my face !* 

Then clasping round his youngest brother's neckj 
JsTo longer strives the gi^shing tears to check; 
The friendly ardour throws off all disguise. 
While nature sits triumphant in his eyvrs ; 
Kor less delight transports the gentle youth. 
Replete with goodness, innocence, and truth^ 
Jn mutual sympathy their souls were tied, 
Andmore'by virtue than by birth allied. 

Saluting then the rest, with mild address ; 
He clears their doubts and softens their distress i 
Conversing freely, now they quit their fears. 
While Pharaoh, pleas'd the new adventure hears ; 
And in his clemency and royal grace, 
Commands the viceroy some selected place 
Should be assigned on Goshen's rich champaign. 
His father's numerous charge to entertain. 
The regent now, impatient of dehiy, 



69 

With costly prcswits sends the men away. 

But with a sparkling Babylonian vest. 

His youngest friend was grac'd above the rest. 

* Make haste,* he said, * to bring my father dawn. 
Tell him I live, and be my greatness known ; 
Take waggons for convenience on the way. 

Your wives and helpless children to convey ; 
Nor care to gather up your needless stores, 
The wealth of Zoan's plenteous land is yours.' 
At Hebron soon their speedy journey ends. 
The good old man their coming now attends ; 
Where scarce arriv'd, at once they all relate 
The welcome news of Joseph's prosperous state. 

* Why would you mock my woe with airy schemes,* 
He fainting said, * of gay fantastic dreams ? 

But soon the loaded carriages appear, 
Recal his life, his drooping spirits cheer. 

* My Joseph lives ! transporting truth !* he crie?, 
* ril see his face and close my aged eyes : 
Content, resign these poor remains of breath, 
4.nd gently rest in the calra shades death * 



HYMNS 



MISCELLANEOUS POEMS, 



HYMN I. 

JL HE glorious armies of the skyj 

To thee, O mighty King ! 
iTriumphant anthems consecrate. 
And hallelujahs sing. 

But still their most exalted flights 

Fall vastly short of thee ; 
tlow distant then must human praise 

Vtom thy perfections be ! 

Yet how, my Godj shall I refrain^ 
When to my ravished sense 

Biich creature in its various ways 
Displays thy excellence ? 

The active lights that shine above** 

In their eternal dance, 
Beveal their skilftd Maker's praise 

With silent elegance. 

The blushes of the mom confess 
That thou art much more fair : 

When in the east its beams retive 
To gild the fields of air* 

The fragrant, the refreshing breath 

Of ev'ry flow'ry bloom. 
In balmy whispers own from thee 

Its pleasing odours c&me. 

The singing birds, the warbling wij0s^ 
And waters' m^m'ring fatJa 
G 



To praise the first almighty^Cause; 
With difPrent voices call. 

Thy num'rous works exalt thee thus^ 

And shall I silent be ? 
No, rather let me cease to breathe. 

Than cease from praising the*. 

HYMN H. 

BEGIN the higli celestial strain, '• 
My ravish'^d soul, and sing 

A solemn hymn of grateful praise. 
To heav'n's almighty King. 

Ye purling' fountains, a« ye rotl 

Your silver waves along, . 
Whisper to all the verdant shoref 

The subject of my song. 

Retain it long, you echoing rocks. 

The sacred sound retainj 
And from your hollow \v inding cave* 

Return it oft again. 

Bear it, ye winds, on all your wings. 

To distant climes away. 
And round the wide extended world 

My lofty theme convey. 

Twke the glad burden of his name. 

Ye clouds, as you arise. 
Whether to deck the golden mom. 

Or shnde the ev'ning skies. 

Let harmless thunders roll along 
The smooth c*thercal plain. 



And answer from the crystal vault 
To ev'ry flying strain. 

Long let it warble round the spheres 

And echo through the sky, 
Till angels with immortal skill 

Improve the harmony. 

While I with sacred raptvn'e fir'd 

The blest Creator sing. 
And warble consecrarted lays 

To heaven's almighty King. 

HYMN m. 
THOU didst, O mighty God, exist 

Ere time begun its race. 
Before the ample elements 

Fill'd up ihe voids of space. 

Before the ponderous earthly globe 

In fluid air was sta5r*d. 
Before the ocean's mighty springs "* 

Their liquid stores display'd : 

Ere through the gloom of ancient night 
The streaks of light appeared ; 

Before the high celestial arch 
Or starry poles were rear'd : 

Before tlie loud melodious spheres 
Their tuneful round begun. 

Before the shining roads of heav'n 
Were measur'd by the sun : 

Ere through the empyrean courts 
©ne hallelujah rung, 



76 

Or to their hai^s the sons of light 
Extatic anthems sung : 

Ere men ador*d, or angels knew, 
Or prais*d thy wond'rous name. 

Thy bliss (O saered Spring of Life I) 
And glory was the same. 

And when the pillars of the worfd 

With sadden ruin break. 
And all this vast and goodly frame 

Sinks in the mighty wreck ; 

When from her orb the moon shall start 
The astonish'd sun roll back, 

While all the trembling starry lamps 
Their ancient course forsake : 

For ever permanent and fix'd. 

From agitation free. 
Unchanged in everlasting years 

ShaU thy existence be. 

HYMN IV. 

TO thee, my God, I hourly sighji, 

But not for golden stores ; 
Nor covet I the brightest gems, 

Qn the rich eastern shores. 

Nor that «leluding empty joy 

Men call a mighty name ; 
Kor greatness in its gayest pride. 

My restless thoughts inflame. 

Kor pleasure's soft enticing charirts 
!|^y fond desires allure : 



For greater things than these fropi thee '\ 
My wishes woul4 secure. 

Those blissful, those transporting" smiles j 

That brighten heav'n above. 

The boundless riches of thy grace, ^ 

And treasures of thy love. ] 

These afe the mighty things I crave j I 

O ! make these blessings mine, ^ 

And 1 the glories of the v'orld 

Contentedly resign. J 

HYMN V. I 

IN vain the dusky night retii-es, i 

And sullen shadows fly ; 1 

In vain the morn with purple light 

Adorns the eastern sky. j 

In vain the gaudy rising sun ■ 

The wide horizon gilds, j 

Comes glitt'ring o'er the silver streams, I 
And cheers the dewy fields. 

In vain, dispensing vernal sweets, \ 

The morning breezes play : j 

In vain tihe biixis with cheerful songs [ 

Salute the new-born day ; ^ 

In vain ! unless my Saviour's face ; 

These gloomy clouds control, \ 

And dissipate the sullen shades :l 

That press my di'ooping soul. i 

O ! visit then thy servant. Lord, ■ 

With favour from on high i \ 



78 

Arise, my bright, immortal Sun I 
And all these shades vf ill die. 

When, when shall I behold thy face^ 

All radiant and serene. 
Without these envious dusky clouds. 

That make a veil between ? 

When shall that long- expected day 

Of sacred vision be. 
When my impatient soul shall make 

A near approach to thee ? 

HYMN VI. 
BEFORE the rosy dawn of day. 

To thee, my God I'll sing- 
Awake, my soft juid tuneful lyre I 

Awake each charming string ! 

Awake ! and let thy flowing strain 
Glide through the midnight air, 

While high amidst her silent orb 
The silver moon rolls clear. 

While all the glitt'ring starry lamps 

Are lighted in the sky. 
And set their Maker's greatness forth. 

To thy admiring eye : 

While watdiiful angels round the jui^t 
As nightly guardians wait. 

In lofty strains of grateful praise 
Thy spirit elevate. 

Awake, my soft and tuneful lyre I 
Awake each charming string ! 



79 

Before the rosy dawn of day. 
To thee, my God, Til sing. 

•thou round the heav'nly arch dost draw 

A dark and sable veil. 
And all the beauties of the world 

From mortal eyes conceal. 

Again, the sky with golden beams 

Thy skilful hands adorn. 
And paint, with cheerful splendor f^ay. 

The fair ascending morn. 

And as the gloomy night returns. 

Or smiling day renews. 
Thy constant goodness still my soul 

With benefits pursues. 

For this I'll midnight vows to thee. 

With early incense bring ; 
And ere the rosy dawn of day 

Thy lofty praises sing* 



HYMN ON THE SACRAMENT. 

AND art thou mine, my dearest Lord f 

Then I have all, nor fly 
The boldest wishes I can form 

Unto a pitch more high. 

Yes, thou art mine, the contract*s seal'd 
With thine own precious blood ; 

^nd ev*n almighty pow'r *s engag'd 
To se^ it all made good. 



80 

My fears dissolve : for O ! what more: 
Could studious bounty do ? 

What further mighty proofs are left 
Unbounded love to shew ? 

My faith's confirm*d, nor would 1 quit 

My title to thy love 
Por all the valued things below. 

Or shining things above. 

Not at the prosp'rous sinner's state 

Do I at all repine ; 
No, let 'em p.arce) out the earth. 

When heav'n and thou art mine. 



HYMN. 

i'Vhcm have I in heaven but thee, Sjfc. Psalm Ixxiii. 25. 
THE calls of glory, beauty's smiles. 

And charms of hannony. 
Are all but dull insipid things, 

Compar'd, my God, with thee. 

Without thy Jove I nothing crave. 

And nothing can enjoy ; 
The proifer'd world I should neglect. 

As an unenvied toy. 

The sun, the num'rous stars, and all 

The wonders of the skies, 
If to be purchas'd with thy smiles. 

Thou knows't I would despise. 

What were the earth, the sun, the stars, 

Or heav'n itself, to me. 
My life, my everlasting bliss ! 

if not secur'd of thee ? 



81 

Celestial bow*rs, seraphic sohgs. 
And iields of endless light, 

Would all unentertaining prove, 
Without thy blissful sight. 



A DIALOGUE 

BETWEKU THE 

SOUL, RICHES, FAME, AND PLEASURE. 

Miches. 
DELUDED mortal, turn and view my store, 
While all my glitt'ring treasures I explore. 
The gold of both the Indian worlds is mine, 
And gems that in the eastern quarry shine. 
Por me advent'rous men attempt the main. 
And all the fury of its waves sustain. 
For me all toils and hazards they disdain. 
For me their country 's sold, their faith betray'd j 
The voice of interest ne'er was disobey'd. 

Soul. — ^Yet I thy tempting oifers can desplse^^ 
IJfor lose a wish on such a worthless prize. 
When yonder sparkling stars attract my sight. 
Thy gold, thy boasted gems, lose all their light. 
My daring thoughts above these trifles rise. 
And aim at glorious kingdoms in the skies. 
I there expect celestial diadems, 
Put-shijiing all thy counterfeited gems. 

Fame. — 'Tis nothing strange, that thy ambitioug 
mind. 
In sordid wealth should ho temptation find : 
But I bave t^rais which thy acceptance claim. 



Heroic glory, and a mighty name t 
To these the erreatest souls oh earth aspire. 
Souls most endow'd with the celestial fire ; 
Whom neither wealth nor beauty can inflame, 
These hazard all for an illustrious name. 

Soul. — And yet thou art a mere fantastic thing, 
Which can no solid satisfaction bring, 
Should I in costly monuments survive, 
"^nd, after death, in men*s applauses live ; ' 
What profit were their vain applause to me. 
If doom*d below to endless infamy ? 
Sunk in reproach, and everlasting shame 
With God, and angels, where*s my promis*d fame ? 
But if their approbation I obtain. 
And deathless wreaths, and heav'nly glories g^in^ 
1 may the world's false pageantry disdain. 

Pleasure. — But where the baits of wealth and hon- 
our fail, 
Th* enchanting voice of pleasure may prevail ; 
The lewd and virtuous, both my vassals prove. 
No breast so guarded but my charms csui move. 
All that delights mankind, attends on me. 
Beauty, and youth, and love, and harmony. 
I wing the smiling hours, and gild the day. 
My paths are smooth, and flow'ry all my way. * 

Soul. — But, ah ♦ these paths to black perdition tend 
There soon thy soft, deluding visions end. 
Those smooth, those flow*ry ways, lead down to hell. 
Where all thy slaves in endless night must dwell. 
The road of virtue far more rugged is. 
But, O ! it leads to everlasting bliss. 
And all beyond the thorny passage lies 



83 

The realm of light, disCover'd to mine eyes ; 

Gay bowr's, and streams of joy, and lightsome fields^ 

With happy shades, the beauteous prospect yields ; 

Those blissful regions I shall shortly gain. 

Where peace, arf3: love, and endless pleasures reign. 



A DIALOGUE 

Between the Fallen Angels and a Human Spirit just en - 
tered into the other -world. 
Human Spirit. 
XiONG struggling In the agonies of death. 
With horror I resign'd my mortal breath ; 
With horror long the fatal gulf I view*d. 
And shiv'ring on its utmost edges stood ; 
Till forc'd to take th' inevitable leap, 
I hurried headlong down the gloomy steep : 
And here of every hope bereft, I find 
Myself a naked and unbodied mind. 
My lov'd, my fond officious friends in vain 
My fleeting soul endeavour'd to retain ; 
In vain its blooming mansion did invite ; 
Grandeur, and wealth, and love and soft delight. 
With tempting calls in vain its flight would stay. 
When forc*d by the severe decree away. 
'Tis past — and all like a thin vision gone, 
For which I have my wretched soul undone ; 
And wand'ring on this dark detested shore. 
My eyes shall view the upper light no more. 

Fall. Ang. — Then welcome to the regions of despair ; 
Thy ruin cost us much design and care. 
And thou had'st *scap'd, but for one happy snare j - 




84 

And in the blissful skies supplied the place 
Of some fall'n spirit of our nobler race ; 
Thou couldst the thirst of wine or wealth control, 
And no malicious sin has stain'd thy soul ; 
But for the joys of one forbidden love 
Hast lost the boundless ecstacies above. 

Bum. Sp. — And all was freely, freely all was lost i 
How dear has one soft dream of pleasure cost ! 
But yet this fatal, this enchanting dream, 
I should, perhaps, beyond ev'n heav'n esteem. 
Were it as permanent : but, ah ! *tis g^one. 
And I a wretch abandoned and undone. 
Of God, of every smiling hope, am left. 
And all- my dear delights on earth bereft ; 
While here for gilded roofs, and painted bow*i»Sa 
For pleasant walks, and beds of fragrant flow'rs, 
I find polluted dens, and pitchy streams, 
And burning paths, with beds of raging flames j 
Instead of music's sweet inspiring sound, 
Repeated yells, and endless groans go round j 
And for the lovely faces of my friends, 
I meet the ghastly visages of fiends ; 
A thousand nameless terrors are behind. 
Despair, confusion, fury, seize my mind : 
But will my griefs no happy, period find ? 

Fall ^in^.—Count all the twinkling glories of the skj% 
Count all the drops that in the ocean lie : 
Of all the earthly globe the atoms count. 
Eternal years thy numbers still surmount. 
Millions of tedious ling'ring ages gone. 
Thy misery, thy hell, is but begun. 
As fix'd, as permanent, thy bliss had been^, 
But for one darling, one beloved sin ; 



85 

Cold to the baits of any other vice. 
Beauty alone could thy fond thoug>hts entice ; 
By this (ov all our stratag-ems had fail'd,) 
By this we o'er thy temp'rate youth prevaiPd. 
Poor, sottish soul ! below our envy now, 
For what a toy didst thou a heaven forego ! 

Biim. Sp. — O tell me not from what fair hopes I fell I 
Just missing heaven, but aggravates my hell. 

Fall. Ang. — Thou know'st not what thou'st lost, but 
we too well 
The glories of that happy place can tell. 
There endless heights of ecstacy they prove, 
There's lasting pleasure and immortal love. 
There flowing pleasures in full torrents roll ; 
For pleasures formM, this loss must rack thy soul. 

Hum. Sp. — With how much cruel art you aggravate 
. My misery's intolerable weight ! 

Fall. Ang. — Our envy once, thou'rt now become our 
scorn. 
In vain for thee the Son of God was bom ; 
That mighty favour, that peculiar grace. 
Too glorious for the fall'n angelic race. 
Serves only to exasperate thy doom. 
And give th' infernal shades a darker gloom. 

Hum. Sp. — O ! that's the wounding circumstance of 

all. 
To lower depths of woe I cannot fall : 
Ye curst tormentors, now your rage is spent. 
Your fury can no further hell invent ; 
A Saviour's title, a Redeemer's blood. 
Their worth, till now, I little understood; 

H 



86 



PSALM xxm. 

THE Lord is my defence and g-iiide, 

My wants are by his care supplied : 

He leads me to refreshing' shades. 

Through verdant plains, and flow'ry meads ; 

And there securely makes me lie, 

Near silver currents rolling by. 

To guide my erring feet aright. 

He gilds my path with sacred light ; 

And to his own immortal praise. 

Conducts me in his perfect ways. 

In deatii's uncomfortable shade. 

No terror can my soul invade : 

While he, my strong defence, is near, 

His presence scatters all despair. 

My spiteful foes with envy see 

His plenteous table spread for me : 

My cup o'erflows with sparkling wine. 

With fragrant oils my temples shine. 

Since God hath wondrous mercies show'd, 

And crown'd my smiling years with good ; 

The life he graciously prolongs. 

Shall be employ'd in grateful songs ; 

My voice in lofty hymns I'll raise. 

And in his temple spend my days. 



PSALM LXXn. 

BLEST Prince of Righteousness and Peace, 

Tile hope of all mankind ! 
The poor in thy unblemish'd reigu. 

Shall free protection find. 



87 

Secure of just redress, to thee 

The oppress'd his cause shall brhig ; 

While with the fruits of sacred peace 
The joyful fields shall spring. 

Through endless years thy glorious name 

The righteous shall adore, 
When sun and moon have run their course. 

And measure time no more. 

Thou shalt descend like the soft drops 

Of kind celestial dews ; 
Or as a show'r, whose gentle fall 

The J03^ful spring renews. 

The just shall flourish in thy days. 

And sacred truth abound. 
While in the skies the changing moon 

Restores her nightly round. 

Peace shall with balmy wings o'ershade 

Our favour'd walls around : 
With grass the meads, with plenteous corn, 

The mountain shall be crown'd. 

A handful scatter'd on the earth. 

Shall rise a wond'rous crop ! 
The loaded stalks shall bend like trees 

On Lebanon^s high top. 

Thy glory no eclipse shall see. 

But shine divinely bright. 
While from his orb the radiant sun 

Darts undiminish'd light. 

Converted nations, blest in thee, 
Shnll magnify thy grace. 



Call thee their glorious ransomer. 
And hope of all their race. 

With love and sacred rapture fir'd. 
Thy lofty name we'll sing* : 

Thou only wond'rous thing's hast done. 
The everlasting King ! 

From all the corners of the earth 
Let grateful praise ascends 

Let loud Amensy and joyful shouts. 
The starry convex rend. 



PSALM CXLVI. 
PREPARE the voice, and tune the joyM lyre. 
And let the glorious theme mj soul inspire : 
To thee, my God, I suig ; thy mighty name 
With heav'nly rapture shall my soul inflame. 
My tuneful homage shall like incense rise. 
And glad the air, and reach th' approving skies ; 
While life and breath remain, the sacred song 
Shall fill my breast, and dwell upon my tongue. 
As some fair structure, whojse firm basis lies 
On strength of rocks, the threat'ning winds defies ; 
So stedfastly my hopes on heav'n are plac'd, 
"Nor earth, nor hell, my confidence can blast. 
Let others still for human help attend. 
And on the flatt'ries of tlie great depend ; 
Relentless death shall mock their airy trust. 
And lay their boasted confidence in dust. 
As the fantastic visions of the night. 
Before the op'nlng morning take their flight. 
So perish all the boasts of men, their pride. 



89 

And vain designs, the laughing" skies deride. 

But he alone securely guarded lives, 
To whom the mighty God protection gives : 
The mighty God, who made the stedfest earth, 
A.nd gave the springs that swell the ocean birth ; 
Who form'd the stars, and spread the circling skies. 
And bade tlie sun in all his glory rise : 
No breacli of faithfulness his honour stains. 
With day and night his word unchang'd remains : 
On human woes he looks with pitying eyes. 
To help th' oppress'd, and answer all their cries ; 
The orphan's soft complaint, and widow's tears. 
Obtain redress, and fix his list'nlng ears : 
His throne from changes stands forever free^ 
And his dominion shall no period see. ' 



THOUGHTS OF A DYING CHIilSTIAIS^ 

I COME, I come ! and joyfully obey 
The fatal voice that summons me away : 
With pleasure I resign this mortal breath. 
And fall a willing sacrifice to death. 
O welcome stroke, that gives me liberty ! 
Welcome, as to the slave, a jubilee ! 
Of the vain world 1 take my last adieu. 
The promis'd land is now within my view ; 
The clouds dispel, the stormy dang-er's past. 
And I attain the peaceful shores at last. 
My hope's dear objects now are all in siglit^ 
The lands of love, and unexhausted light : 
The flov.'ing streams of joy, and endless bliss. 
The shining plains, and walks of paradise; 
The trees of life, iinmortd fruits and How'rs.. 
n 2 



90 

The tall celestial groves^, and charming' bow^r; 
I breathe the balray empyrean air. 
The songs of angels, and tbieir harps I hear ; 
And scarce the fierce, tyrannic, joy can bear 



A SONG OF PRAISE. 
PREPARE, my soul, thy noblest lays, 
And speak thy great deliv'rer's praise. 
Awake, my voice, and gentle lute. 
Nor let one grateful string be mute : 
And, O ! ye sacred pow'rs of love. 
Let me all your influence prove : 
Ye heav'nly virtues, guide my tongue^ 
Or teach me some celestial song ; 
Such as your own flame inspires. 
When you touch your golden lyres ; 
And in the fair ethereal bow*rs. 
Sing away your happy hours. 

Begin, begin the tuneful lays. 
While the morning's early rays 
All their golden lustre spread 
O'er the tow'rhig mountain's head ; 
Nor cease till noon, till sable night 
Conceal the world from mortal sight 

From the lowest depths af care, 
To God I send a doubtful prayer ; 
Yet he lent a gracious ear. 
And scatter'd all my groundless feai: 

While these lips draw vital breathy 
Till I close my eyes in death, 
I'll ne'er forget thy wondrous love. 
Nor thoughtless of thy favours provs- 



91 

Beireatli thy skadowing- wind's defence 
I'll place my only confidence ; 
In ev'ry dang-er.^and distress, 
T© thee I will my pray'r address. 
Let all my hopes on earth be lost. 
In thee 1*11 make my constant boast ; 
rU spread the g-lories of thy name. 
And thy unbounded love proclaim. 

You that sink in dark despair, 
To God direct your humble pray'r ; 
From his lofty seat he hears 
pur sad complaints, and dries our tears - 
lie regards the pensive breast. 
And gives the weary pilgrim^ rest ; 
On human miseries, from his throne. 
With soft coni passion he looks down ; 
The weight of all our grief he knows, 
,4nd seems to share our secret woes. 

Lord, what is man, that he should prove 
The object of such boundless love ? 
Whence can such wondrous bounty spring. 
To such a vain and worthless thing .' 
Wliy sluDuld he so largely share 
Thy favour, and thy tender care ? 
WJiy thy sacred thoughts employ, 
111 the heiglits of perfect joy i* 

O let ev'ry grateful tongue 
Speak thy praise in lofty song ; 
And tJiou, my soul, join all thypow'rs, 
In this blest work eir.-plov tJiv I^oisrs, 



92 



ON THE NAME OF JESUS. 

IF love, if joy, if gratitude can speak. 

If sacred rapture can its silence break ; 

Yet once more let me tune my harp for thee, 

Thou source of the divine benignity : 

On this side heav'n yet once more let me sing, 

Ere to thy praise 1 set th' immortal string ; 

In mortal strains permit me to rehearse 

Thy name, and with it grace my humble verse. 

Ye v^inds, to heav'n the sacred accents bear. 
For heav'n delig^hts the glorious sound to hear. 
Ye angels, take it on your golden lyres. 
Voices like yours the mighty word requires. 
Seraph and cherub, speak, is there a sound 
Move sweet than this in all your language found i 
Is there within the bounds of paradise, 
A note of harmony compar'd to this ? 

Ye heav'nly pow'rs, your gentle warmth infuse. 
And tell me what sweet eloquence you use ; 
I burn in sacred flames, like yours, and fain 
"Would talk and sing, in your immortal strain ; 
My voice would mix with the melodious spheres. 
And please, with soft attraction, angel's ears. 

Ye winds, to heav'n the glorious accents bear. 
For heav'n delights the charming- name to bear: 
I'll breathe it vvith the morning's fragrant air. 
Its pleasing echoes shall the ev'ning cheer. 
The fields, the lawns, and ev'ry sliady grove. 
The sweet retii-cments, and delig'iits of love. 
Shall learn from me the dear inspiring name. 
And all be witness to my holy fiame. 



93 



AN ODE TO VIRTUE. 

CELESTIAL Virtue, offspring of the sky. 
For thee alone I touch the trembling string ; 

Assist thy modest votary. 
And take the humble incense that I bring : 

Excuse at least the doubtful song, 
WhUe mortal lays the lofty subject wrong. 
Thy charms, bright Virtue, all mankind confess ; 

And ev'n the monster Vice, 
When she the unpractis'd dinner would entice. 
To meet his first attempt she borrows thy address^ 

Is bashful yet and nice, 
A virgin delicacy seems to wear : 

For should her own deformity 
, Without disguise appear. 

What doatmg wretch but would th6 terror fly ? ■ 
What desp'rate fool, should she unveil her face, 
Would tempt perdition for the curst embrace \ 
Preceding times in great examples shew 
What human mmds, inspir'd by thee, can do. 
By gen'rous principles and honour led. 
The lovely Syrian^ in his blooming age, 

Refus'd the fond Egyptian's bed. 
And stedfastly repuls'd her am'rous rage. 
When ancient Tunis in her gloiy stood. 
Proud of her palmy groves and sacred flood ; 
Which gently flowing froni its heav'nly source, 
Enrich'd her level bordets with its course : 
Vast pyramids, with elevated heads. 
Pointed the plains, and stretch'd their spiral shades 
To distant woods, and far extended meads, 
Bich Thebes, devoted to the god of "day. 



94 

Stood, like her own resplendent planet, gay. 
The lofty domes with golden lustre shone. 
An hundred gates adorn'd the populous town ; 
The buiidmgs <iil were rais'd with wond'rous cost. 
With silver foliage the high roofs emboss'd : 
Well finish'd sculpture on the walls was shewn ; 
For art was here in full perfection known. 

Ere Phidias wrought in Parian stone. 
Or Greece her skilful Daedalus could boast. 
Th' Egyptian court with soft Assyria vied 

In all her luxury and pride : 

But PharaoKs age no prorais'd heir supplied ; 
His beauteous daughter all his hopes betray'd. 

To Isis she herself had vow'd 
A consecrated maid : 
The sacred crescent on her breast she wore. 
Her robe with golden stars was spangled o'er. 

To J\ilus' banks the pious fair. 
Performing holy rites, did now repair ; 
When from the shore an infant's feeble cries 

Her virgin train surprise : 
Among the reeds a lovely boy they found, 
His temples with an ambient glory crown'd; 
Divine presages sparkled in his face, 
Unvulgar beauty, and expressless grace. 

* The gods have thus,' th.e joyful princess cried, 

* My father's wishes with an heir supplied.' 
Young JMoses her adopted son she nam'd ; 

But when his years had reach'd their manly prime. 

The title he disclaim'd ; 
Govern'd by motives more sublime. 
While heav'nly Virtue hi^ high thoughts inflam'd. 

By heav'nly Virtue led, 
Th' Egyptian court, and all its pomp he fled ; 



95 

And wand*ring" far away on Midian plains. 
An humble life he chose among the swains. 
In moving lays he taught the rural throng 
Celestial truths ; while listening to his strain. 

The flying winds their breath retam. 
And winding currents slowly glide along. 
Of chaos and the world's great birth he sung, 
How from the word divine the fair creation sprung. 
High Uoreb from his cloudy summit heard 
The tuneful sound, long e'er the Thracian bard. 
On Hoimus' banks, in potent numbers strove 
A savage nation wisely to improve. 
When on Bethoron's plains great Joshua chas'd 

The Amorean kings ; 
Lest darkness o'er their flight her veil should cast. 
And from his sword protect them with her wings. 
Forward before his wond'ring troops he sprung, 
Pois*d in his hand a trembling jav'im hung : 
Mov'd by an instigation all divine. 
Heroic Virtue, the great hint was thine. 
When on the spM-kling skies 

The daring warrior fix'd his eyes, 
Some god the soldiers in his face regard. 
While from his lips these mighty v/ords they heard : 
' Thou sun,' he boldly cried, ' thou sun, stand still, 
Hov stretch thy shades on Gibeah's lofty hill ; 
And thou, fair moon, retard thy hasty flight, 
And gild the vales of Ajalon at night 1' 
Astonish'd nature instantly obeyM, 
And in a deep suspense the heav'nly motions stay'd. 
Nor leave t]i.e tuneful heroine unnam'd, 
Ye virgin muses, who her l)reast iiiflum'd, 
A^irtue no brig-hier votary can boast. 

No brighter names in all her list appear : 



The warrior's crown, and poet's wreath she claim'd. 

She touch'd the lyre, and shook the pointed spearj 
The life and glory of the Hebrew host : 
Old Kishon to her aid his billows brought, 
And on her side the marshall'd planets fought. 
The Medes subdued, and Ecbatana ras'd ; 
The haughty Persian with fresh laurels grac'd. 
To Jordan'' s banks his num'rous forces led. 

Wide as th eastern rule is spread, 
The distant realms his glad assistants come : 
From Serica, and Oxus* borders some, 
From Indus' and imperial Ganges' shores. 
And where laxartes* rapid current roars. 
The hardy race on wild Hyrcania bred, 

Advanc'd with bold intrepid breasts. 
The tall Armenians with their waving crests. 

And Parthians with their backward bows, 
A dreadful scene on Hebron's plains disclose. 
But none in courage or in splendor vied 
Witb the gay troops that left the flow'ry fields. 
Where royal Ulai rolls his crystal tide ; 
Their helmets gold, and gold their blazing shields^ 
With dancing plumes and Tyrian scarves, from far 
They shone the pride and terror of the war : 
With airy feet their coursers spurn'd the plains. 
In silver trappings deck'd ; 

With silver curbs and scarlet reins 
Their fiery rage their graceful riders checked. 
Encamp'd before the sacred hill they lay. 
Where Salem^s lofty tow'rs their strength display 

While to their great forefather's aid 
With stedfast zeal the sons of /?>'«*?/ pray 'd ; 
The potent prayer prevails ; a Hebreiv dame 
By heav'n was destin'd to the great event, 



or 

To fix a scandal on th* Assyrian name, 
A lasting scandal, and immortal shame. 
Led by the mighty impulse, Judith went 
Undaunted to the Persian Reader's tent ; 
The chief with wonder gazes on the fair. 
Her gesture free, engaging all her air. 

A nice reserve and modest pride 
Chasten'd the native softness in her looks descried. 
Her features nobly turn'd, her cheeks disclose 
A fresher blush than paints the blooming rose. 
Her eyes were black, and black her shining hair : 
Black as the midnight clouds, which sometimes grace 
With chequer'd shades the moon's resplendent face ; 
Part to the sight was in loose curls expos'd, 

The rest a spangled caul inclos'd : 
To that a white transparent veil was join'd. 
Which negligently hover*d to the wind. 
With envious art a shade of finest lawn 

Was o'er her swelling bosom drawn; 
A sparkling diamond hung at either ear. 
And rubies round her swelling neck appear, 
Her robes were costly silk, and ev'ry fold 
Varied with blue and winding streaks of gold. 
She soon protection and redress obtain'd ; 
While from the Persian chief 

Her moving words procur'd belief. 
And easy credit gain'd. 
A rich pavilion to his own adjoin'd. 

Was to the fair that night assign'd, 
Assur'd from all a just respect to find. 
The charming Hebretv with her maid retir'd. 
And left the gen'ral with her beauty fir'd ; 1 

But gentle sleep his am'rous cares appeas'd, ) 

While through the camp the midnight riot ceas'd. \ 



98 

Darkness and silence now combine 
To favour Judith in her great design. 

Undaunted Virtue fill'd her breast. 
Undaunted Virtue her whole soul possest ; 

While by a glimm'ring taper led. 

She found the sleeping warrior's bed : 
His sword with an audacious air she took. 
And freed her nation at one noble stroke. 
By Grecian heroes wonders have been done. 
And lasting fame for great achievements won ; 
But all they tell wild fictions prove. 
Of fated armour, and assisting Jove. 
No partial goddess to Achilles brought 
A spear and seven-fold shield by Vulcan wrought- 
No Pallas to the field Strides led, 
Nor grac'd the chariot with young Diootied, 
When from his raging sword the Trojans fled ; 

But Virtue own*d the Argive'^s cause, 
Avenging breach of faith and hospitable laws : 
Their best success was owing still to thee. 
Their prosp'rous genius thou, and aiding deity. 
At ancient Rome thy name was long ador'd. 
For thee they drew, for thee they sheath*d the svi^ord 

Great JVuma oft convers'd with thee. 
Amidst the gloomy night's solemnity. 

While the pale moon with silver beams 
Chequer'd the shades, and glimmer'd on the streams, 
Egeria or Urania^ nymphs divine. 
He oft invok'd by some clear fountain's fall ; 
However nam'd, the lovely form was thine 

That answer'd still his call ; 
From tiiee he learn'd by gentle arts 1' assuage 
The Sahlnes' sullen haired, and t]»e Jfoman rage. 



99 

Nor Faunus gave (as story tells) 

The peaceful priiice fantastic spells ; 

To charm fierce lions from their prey, 
Or swelling- torrents in their banks to stay; 

To turn the lightning's fatal force, 

Or break the raging thunder's course : 
These great effects, celestial piety. 
These great effects belong alone to thee. 
Jifanlius and great Camllus owe to thee 
Their fame and glorious immortality. 

Horatius fought by thee sustain'd. 
When singly he th' unequal war maintain'd j 
In vain to pass the bridge the Tuscans strove. 
Backward whole squadrons with his spear he drove ; 

Fix'd as his country's guardian god, 

On Tibet's banks the hero stood. 
And stain'd the foaming stream with hostile blood;, 
In vain ill omens would Flaminius fright : 
In vain his courser, with unusual fears. 
Still backward from the fight 
The furious warrior bears ; 
Unmanag'd o'er the wide campaign he flew. 
And from his seat the daring rider threw ; 

The daring rider mounts again. 
And urg'd the battle on the destin'd plain ; 
Unterrified with HannibaVa great name. 

And full of martial flaiqe. 
Still foremost on the glitt'ring spears he prest.. 
The Roman genius, for his life distrest. 
With a prodigious earthquake shook the ground ; 

The violent force 
Pour'd back the rivers to their inmost source, 
Revers'd the floods, and changed their native course. 



100 

Thrice from the skies portentous thunders sound, 
And thrice ill-boding lightnings blaiz'd around ; 
Nor earthquakes, lightnings, nor the thund'ring skies, 
A breast with virtue guarded can surprise : 

Still resolute and bold, 
Flaminiua on the thickest dangers flies. 
And bravely met the fate the warning gods foretold. 
If ever praise to Roman worth was due. 
If ever Virtue could distinction claim. 

Great Scipio, thy illustrious name 
Shall stand the foremost in the lists of fame. 
And future times thy triumphs shall renew. 

The conduct ofFabricius^ age^ 

And young Minutius* martial rage. 

In thee were eminently found : 
With all that men revere, or heav*n applauds. 

Thy glorious life was crown'd. 
Earners mighty empire seem'd alone on tkee 

Dependent for security : 

Without thee, ev'n her boasted gods 
Had ill defended their own gay abodes, 
Whatever wreaths at Thebes or Troy were gain'd. 
Whatever fame at Salamis obtained. 

Or at Arbella's fatal field ; 
Their most illustrious deeds to thine must yield. 
Nor wast thou in thy public life more great. 

Than in thy last retreat 
To the Linternian shades, thy humble seat. 
In all things thou wast modest still and brave. 
Neither to Vice, nor Virtue's self a slave ; 
Virtue was choice, delib'rate choice, in thee. 
Not philosophic pride, nor dull necessity. 
Bright goddess, what resistless charms are thine, 
That men for thee all human things forego. 



J 



101 

And willingly resign 
The dearest ties and softest names below ? 
By what strange arguments dost thou engage 
Unpractis'd youth, and spiritless old age. 
To brave, for thee, the fiercest tyrant's rage ? 
Bright goddess, thou the cause alone canst tell. 
And all the sacred mystery reveal. 
'Tis done ! immortal light without control 
Comes rushing like a mighty torrent on my soul. 
Transporting scenes are open'd to my eyes, 
I see the inmost glories of the skies ; 

I see the bright distinguish*d crown. 

That led the conqu'ring martyrs on ; 
I walk among the mansions of the gods. 
The soft recesses, and the blest abodes ; 
I trace the happy vales and lightsome plains. 
Where pleasure, peace, and love triumphant reigns ; 

Through all the region round 
The voice of festival, and nuptial songs 
Perpetually resound. 
Ineffable the rest, 
And by immortal tongues 
Alone to be exprest. 
All hail, ye scourges, flames, and tort'ring wheels ! 
Your force no more the shiv'ring fancy feels, 

Enlighten'd thus, Romanus tried 
The tyrant's utmost cruelty and pride. 

Lucius with these bright prospects fir'd. 
And young fformisda, their tormentors tir'd: 
JRhea and Bionysia trampled down 
Opposing hell, and gain'd the martyr's crown. 

With arts more fatal Becius strove .J 

JWcefas' fortitude to move. | 

12 i 



102 

In a delicious garden's soft retreat 
The youth was gently laid. 
Wrapt in a silken net, 

A flow'ry couch beneath him spread. 
Where fragrant jess'mines lent a grateful shade ; 
A dying breeze, a fountain's easy fall, 
Mix'd with melodious birds, for gay delights did call* 
While a young harlot in the tempting .pride 
Of airy life and wanton beauty, tried 

With guilty blandishment and art. 
Obscene caresses and licentious song. 
To poison with contagious flames his heart. 
To tempt the saint his holy vows to wrong ; 
Unconquer'd yet the youthful saint remain'd. 
And all her proffer'd charms and lew'd address dis- 

dain'd. 
Bulalia to the stern tribunal press'd. 
And boldly there the christian faith profess'd ; 

The savage judge suspends her doom, 
Touch'd with h^ dawning charms and early bloom. 
To Jove's high shrine they led the tender maid ; , 
The priest in his fantastic pomp array'd, 
A golden censer brought. 

With consecrated odours fraught, 
Which fiercely from his hand the virgin caught ;. 
Beneath her feet the smoking gums she trod. 
Derides the bigot and insults his god : 

Unmov'd the senseless idol stands. 
With useless thunder in his passive hands ; 
But all their rage his wild adorers sliow, 
And in their cruelty 
Surpass'd the fiends below. 
Their scourges, pincers, and their racks they tried : 
l^y more than human fortitude sustain'd, 



105 

The sulPring maid her constancy reluiu'd ; 
* Be all the pow'rs of death and hell defied 1 
Your malice can no more,' she faintly cried, 
And smilmg on her curst tormentors, died. 
Nor virtue with preceding times is lost. 
Nor Rome alone illustrious names can boast j 
The charming- goddess has not left the stage, 
A thousand great examples grace the present age : 
But Virtue ne'er with brighter pomp was seen. 
Nor wore a nobler form than in the British* Queen. 
Thou art thy own immense reward. 

Should man no future state regard : 
Where fields of light, and gay ethereal plains^ 
The sanguine flights of visionary brains ; 

The happy mind possess'd of thee 
Would find unmingled joy, and true felicity. 
AVere there no gloomy shores, no burning lakes, 
No chains of darkness, nor infernat racks ; 
Were hell a wild, enthusiastic dream, 
A statesman trick, a poet's lying theme, 

A pious fraud, a black deceit 
Of mercenary priests, the world to cheat ; 
Yet still within itself a guilty mind 
-The emphasis of ev'ry plague would find, 
* \Vrittea before the year 1710. 

THE CONFLAGRATIO.\ 

AX ODE. 

SUPINE as men before the deluge lay. 
In melting joys and luxury dissolv'd. 

Till swift destruction swept them all away. 
The stupid world will then, be found. 

In all licentiousness and sin involy'd^ 

When loud to judgement the last truin]>cts soiiiiu 



104 

Then time shall be no more. 
Nor months and years proportion'd by the sun ; 

Whieh ne'er agam shall run, 
With vig'rous pride the shining* zodiac o'er^ 
A sudden change the living- shall translate 
To an immortal from a mortal state ; 
While those that slumber in the grave awake 
In crowds, their former vehicles to take, 
Endued with principles that may sustain 
Celestial pleasure, or infernal pain. 

And now begins the universal wreck : 
The wheels of nature stand, or change their course. 
And backward hurrying with disorder'd force, 

The long establish*d laws of motion bi'eak. 
The refluent rivers to their fountains run. 
Their ancient paths and well-known channels shuHg 
The seas their sandy banks deride, 
And know their bounds no more. 
Against the rocks, with stormy pride, 
The angry billows roar : 
Now swelling, like transparent mounts appear, 
Which to the clouds their lofty summits rear. 
And mingle with the virgin waters there : 
Here, like tlie mouth of hell, vast whirlpools yawn. 
And down the rapid gulf whole floods and isles ai'e 
dr*.wn. 
Prodigious thunders shake the sky. 
As from their cells v\^ith clam'rous rage they break ; 

Prodigious lightnings kindle as they fly. 
And trace the clouds with many a fiery streak : 

While in the darken'd air 
With horrid beams malignant comets glare. 

Encount'ring tempests strive. 
Which mighty winds across each other drive, 



105 

Loos*d from the spacious cavities below. 
From all the adverse points of heav'n they blow. 
And murmur from afar with stormy sound ; 
While burning bolts and hail-stones rake the ground,. 
Resistless whirlwinds bluster here and there, 
Trees from their roots, stones from their rocks they 
tear. 

The central fire within its prison raves. 
And all the globe with strong concussions shakes. 

As from its urn in sulph'rous waves 
Tiie dreadful element breaks ; 
Through all the gloomy vaults around it flowSj 
Through ev'ry cleft and winding fissure glows. 

And wild excursions makes : 
Its course no subterranean damps oppose. 
From vein to vein the active particles take fire, 
And towards the surface of the globe aspire ; 
Whole groves, and hills, and buildings undermine^ 
Whole groves, and hills, and palaces drop in ; 

Wide gapes the direful gulf, and where 
Tall mountains stood, prodigious chasms appear 
With wilder fury here. 

The fierce materials outward rush. 
And where, ev'n now, a level plain was spread. 
Vast rocks and frowning steeps erect their hideouv 

head : 
From whose dai-k entrails livid torrents gush. 

And glowing cataracts spout : 
Like %^tna now the new Volcano roars, 
Unwieldy stones, and burning crags throws out. 
With show'rs of sand, and seas of melted ores. 

While louder still on high the trumpets sound. 
And reach the dreary kingdoms under ground. 
Hell's deep foundations the strange echoes shake. 



106 

With terrors fill each rdg-in^ fiend, 
The earth with strong" concussions rend. 
And wide disclose the vast infernal lake. 
With all the execrable dens below, 
The dwellings of unutterable woe. 
Thick steams from the unbottom'd gulf arise 

And blacken all the skies : 
The startled sun winks at the horrid sight, 
And robs the moon of all her silver light : 
While ev'ry gay ethereal flame expires. 
Or to its first original retires. 
Now mightier pangs the whole creation feels ; 
Bach planet from its shatter'd axis reels, 
And orbs immense on orbs immense drop down. 
Like scatt'ring leaves from off their branches blown. 

Again the great archangel's summons fly 
Through, earth, through hell, and all the ample vaults' 

on high ; 
Wide fly the portals of eternal day. 

To give the King of glory way : 

And, lo ! the Son of God descends, 
Heav'n's everlasting frame beneath him bends ; 

On low'ring clouds he sits enthron*d, 
Whence rcddy flames, and pointed lightnings playj 
And bellowing thunders with shrill voices sound : 
To judge the world he comes with awful state. 
Ten thousand times ten thousand on him wait : 

Cherub and Seraphim, 
With mighty chiefs, and splendid dignities. 

Dominions, potentates and pow'rs, 
Of heav'nly thrones the num'rous regencies. 

And (if a muse might dare 
Things so extremely distant to compare) 
Like Hesperus leading on the countless stars. 



107 

The God before his radiant train appears ; 

Divine his form, ineffable his air. 

At once benignant, solemn, and severe; 

Around him dart refulgent beams, 
And from his eyes approachless glory streams. 

The waters see, and downward sink. 
The mountains melt like wax before the fire. 

The folding heav'ns together shrink. 
And with a mighty noise the clashing orbs retire. 
Despairing, trembling, mad, the vicious fly. 
And to the falling rocks for shelter cry ; 
To hell's impenetrable shades would run. 
The face of their vindictive Judge to shun. 
. The shudd'ring fiends t' avoid his sight. 
Beneath the burning deeps would hide : 

Unable now to bear celestial light. 

Or the resplendence of his looks abide. 

Unmoved alone the virtuous now appear. 

And in their looks a calm assurance wear. 
Nor hell nor all its horrors fear. 
From east, from west, from north, and south they come. 
To take from the most righteous Judge their doom ; 
Who thus to them, with a serene regard ; 
^(The books of life before him laid, 
^ And all the secret records wide display*d) 
* According to your works be your reward j 
As my reproach and cross you did not fear. 
To men and angels I approve you here 
Possess immortal kingdoms as your due. 
Prepared from an eternal date for you,' 

The glitt'ring legions sliout above. 
And down ten thousand heav'nly guardians fly, 
T' attend their joyful charges to the sky: 
And upward now with wondrous pomp they move, 
^felodious v.vIcottiCS they receive on high. 



With shining- robes, victorious palms and crowns, 
Celestial dignities, and everlasting thrones ; 
While beauty, life, snd joy, with love divine. 
Break from their eyes, and on their faces shine. 

Th' apostate spirits rage, as when they fell 
From off th* ethereal battlements to hell. 
To see the humble race of man supply 
Their once illustrious stations in the sky. 
The sinners gnash their teeth for envy too ; 
To whom thus speaks the wrathful Deity : 

* From me, accurst ! for ever *go. 
And dwell with endless burnings, endless night and 

woe. 
In vain in your adversity you cr}'. 
Inexorable to your cries I'll be. 
As you were once to me .' 

Like stings these fatal accents wound, 
And all the wretched sinners' pleas confound ; 
Opprest with shame, confusion, and despair. 
They sink, nor can the heavy judgement bear. 
The unfathom'd deep to swallow them gapes wide : 
And now without control 
The fiery surges roll. 
And hell extends itself on ev*ry side ! 
"Where, without intermission, without end. 
Howling and lamentations loud ascend ; 
With flames and hellish smother, which appear 
To fjim about the globe a dreadful atmosphere. 
Wiiy vice v\\^s prosp'rous, virtue why distrest, 

With all the deep writ sense. 
The dark mysterious ways of Providence, 
T(^ irien and angels now are manifest. 

FINIS. 



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